Blomqvist seeded first in Classic Rally: The race will start and end at Sarova Whitesands

Classic Rally

The 1984 world rally champion to lead over 30 drivers.

The 1984 World Rally Champion Stig Blomqvist will be the first off the ramp on the 2017 Kenya Airways East African Safari Classic Rally which is set to start at Sarova Whitesands from November 23. It will end at the same place on December 1.

Blomqvist, who is also the event’s defending champion, was placed first on the seeded entry list released by organizers East African Safari Rally (EASR) Limited at a Nairobi hotel today.

The 'Flying Swede' leads over 30 drivers out of Sarova Whitesands on this year's 8th edition of the event which will revolve around Kenya and Tanzania.

Carl 'Flash' Tundo, son of veteran Kenyan Safari Rally driver Frank Tundo is seeded second on the star-studded list which also has Baldev Singh Chager in third and two-times champion Ian Duncan placed fourth. Frank Tundo is seeded 16th in a Triumph TR7.

Geoff Bell (Datsun 260Z) from South Africa, is seeded fifth and will be navigated by Kenya's Timothy Challen. Challen is no stranger to the prestigious historic event having navigated Bell on previous editions.

Bell will followed by Ford Escort RS 1800 Argentine driver Jorge Perez Companc, Richard Jackson (in a Tuthil Porsche) and the very able Mazda RX7 Frencman Pilippe Gache.

Jackson has entered the event in a Tuthill Porsche and will be navigated by Ryan Champion who recently tested in the welsh forest with Blomqvist.

Kenya’s star driver Raaji Singh Bharij will team up with Rajay Sehmi in ninth. He will drive a locally build Porsche 911.

Onkar Singh Rai is seeded 10th. He will team up with Gareth Dawe who also his navigator in the Kenyan National Rally Championship (KNRC).

During the event to announce the start order in Nairobi, organisers EASR Limited also confirmed the final list of cosponsors for the event.

Event General Manager Pipi Renu thanked KQ and all co-sponsors for their unswerving support.

"We are glad to welcome KQ and all co-sponsors back to the rally. They have injected lots of quality to ensure smooth running."