# EASCR confirms proposed control tyre
agreement with MRF Tyres will not proceed
for 2027

> Nine days, 4,000 kilometres of fesh-fesh roads and choking dust — the East African Safari Classic Rally is like no other challenge on the planet.

- Site: [East African Safari Classic Rally](https://www.eastafricansafarirally.com)
- HTML: [https://www.eastafricansafarirally.com/news/MRF-Tyres-will-not-proceed-for-2027](https://www.eastafricansafarirally.com/news/MRF-Tyres-will-not-proceed-for-2027)
- Heritage since 1953; typical distance ~4,000 km over 9 days.

Published: 24 August 2026

**Nairobi, Kenya** – 24th August 2026 – East African Safari Classic Rally Ltd (EASCR) confirms that the proposed agreement to appoint MRF Tyres, via its agent Mentor Motorsport, as the control tyre supplier for the 2027 East African Safari Classic Rally will not proceed.

This decision follows a detailed review of tyre performance during the 2025 event, when a number of tyre failures were experienced. Given the uniquely demanding conditions of the East African Safari Classic Rally, EASCR subsequently requested that an extensive programme of testing and development be undertaken before any control tyre arrangement could be confirmed for 2027.

Despite repeated requests and follow-up discussions, EASCR has not received sufficient evidence that the testing programme it considers necessary has been undertaken or that the concerns arising from the 2025 event have been adequately addressed.

Competitor safety, product reliability and competitor confidence remain overriding priorities for EASCR. A control tyre arrangement carries a significant responsibility, particularly as it requires competitors to use a specified product throughout one of the most demanding historic rallies in international motorsport.

EASCR cannot enter into such an agreement without being fully satisfied that the proposed tyre has been comprehensively tested in conditions representative of those competitors will encounter during the rally.

EASCR has therefore concluded that it would not be appropriate to proceed with the proposed control tyre agreement with MRF Tyres and its agent, Mentor Motorsport, for 2027.

This decision relates specifically to EASCR’s requirements for a control tyre arrangement for the East African Safari Classic Rally and should not be interpreted as a general assessment of MRF Tyres or its products.

EASCR has entered into a new process with a number of globally recognised tyre manufacturers for the 2027 and future events and will announce the outcome of that process within the next two weeks.

The 2027 East African Safari Classic Rally will take place from **3–11 December 2027**.

ENDS