Duncan maintains lead as beach party awaits Classic Safari Rally winners

By A Correspondent

A special beach party awaits winners of the 2009 Kenya Airways East African Safari Classic Rally at the end of the 10-day marathon event that started in Mombasa on November 22.

Kenya’s glory depends on the performance of Ian Duncan in the remaining three stages leading to the finish in Mombasa this afternoon.

Driving a Goodyear/Sopa Lodges-sponsored Ford Mustang, the former Safari Rally winner has literally led the rally from the start with no major problems apart from one puncture and minor electrical problems.

Kenyan driver Jonathan Savage navigated by Gavin Laurence in a Datsun 260Z as the Kenya Airways East African Safari Classic Rally headed to Mombasa. [PHOTOS: SAMWEL NYAKONDO]

His battle with Bjorn Waldegaard, one of the world’s greatest rally drivers, has so far been the focus of the competition. The two seem to be playing mind games with the experience gained as former winners of the Safari Rally and most respected drivers.

A helicopter pilot, Chris Stewart, could not hide his admiration after flying over the fast moving Ford Mustang in one of the sections. "You were going like hell. I just could not keep up with you in the section. Man.... you must have been clocking over 170kph. It was impressive,’’ said Stewart.

The final day

Duncan leads with more than eight minutes over the Swede going into the final day. Aziz Tejpar and Andy Nagi have yet to find the path to get their Ford Escort into the top ten after eight days of trying. They have been one of the most consistent crews in the rally who have hardly tasted life outside the top 20 ratings.

Local driver Jonathan Savage was 12th. He quickly climbed back after a miserable Day Seven where he lost plenty of time after his Datsun 260Z stopped with broken suspension.

His sons, Quentin and Russell, were closely following their "sponsor" in the 13th position driving a Datsun 180B.

Stefano Rocca continues with mixed fortunes, dropping and climbing the table with erratic paces. His Datsun 260Z has hampered the progress of the Malindi-driver on many occasions.

Cars will leave Taita Lodge at 7am and then pass Mwatate (07.43am), Maungu (08.25am), Samburu (10.20am), Kinango (10.43am) and Mazeras 11.03am before driving along the Mombasa/Nairobi Highway to Whitesands Hotel where the first car is expected at noon.