The highly anticipated Zambia International Motor Rally will not take place this year, marking a rare absence from the Africa Rally Championship (ARC) calendar for a country that has proudly hosted the event since 1969.
Zambia Motor Sport Association (ZMSA) president Sam Ching’ambu confirmed the cancellation in an interview, citing a combination of financial and logistical challenges. Among the key issues is the rising cost of affiliation fees to the Federation of International Automobiles (FIA), which has placed a heavy burden on the local motorsport body.
“What we have done is that we have decided not to host the Zambia International Motor Rally due to various reasons. Of course, we are not the only ones, there are a few other countries that are also not hosting ARC,” said Ching’ambu.
He explained that the cost of meeting FIA’s financial requirements, especially the steep affiliation fees, made it unfeasible for Zambia to stage the event this year. As a result, no Zambian driver will participate in the Africa Rally Championship in 2024.
The cancellation comes as a disappointment for motorsport fans and competitors alike, particularly because the Zambia International Motor Rally has long been considered one of the premier events on the continental rallying circuit. It has attracted top drivers from across Africa and contributed significantly to the development of motorsport in Zambia.
Despite the setback, Ching’ambu remains optimistic about the future. He assured enthusiasts that plans are already underway to revive the rally in 2025. “We are hopeful and looking forward to hosting the rally next year. Our commitment to motorsport development in Zambia remains strong,” he said.
The rally’s absence this year underscores broader financial challenges facing motorsport federations across Africa, with several countries also pulling out of the 2024 ARC season.
For now, ZMSA is focusing on internal development and strengthening local events, with the hope that a more sustainable model will support Zambia’s return to the international rallying stage in the near future.