South Africa has launched a bid to become the 14th event on the World Rally Championship calendar.

The Safari Rally in Kenya was axed last month and Capetown officials on Thursday said they were confident of replacing it.

Heini Nel, a spokesman for South Africa's bid, said: "South Africa has a very good chance to be included on the annual WRC calendar by 2004/2005 if we are able to present a successful candidate event and bid as soon as possible."

The plan would be to host the event during South Africa's winter season, with the aim of increasing tourism in their off-peak season.

Nel added: "South Africa has the opportunity to harvest the enormous economic and tourism benefits from hosting an annual round of a WRC event in the Western Cape.

"The direct economic impact is estimated to be at least 250m rand (�16m) and television exposure value at least 270 million rand (�17.3m), amounting to an overall economic benefit of at least 500 million rand."

World rally officials are keen to keep an African event on the calendar to spread the following of the sport.