Rested and re-energised drivers ready to tackle Amboseli leg

Navigator Nicola Bleicher at Ol Kalou checkpoint. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

It has been a fierce four days of competition in the ongoing East African Safari Classic Rally (EASCR), with one rest day yesterday.

Lee Rose and Douglas McNeil in Laikipia, on Saturday. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

Out of the 48 drivers, 15 are already out on contention, including the pre-race favourite, Carl ‘Flash’ Tundo.

The rally has passed through some quite rough sections, from the lakeside towns of Naivasha and Nakuru, to the railway centres of Nanyuki, where the competitors had a glimpse of the iconic Mount Kenya.

The breathtaking Kerio Valley, a home to paragliding and a bedrock of athletics, also had a taste of the moving spectacle.

The competition also passed through other tough sections of Stage 11 and 12, which were dominated by human and animal traffic, forcing the organisers to cancel the sections during the  Sunday race.

Today, the drivers will tackle the expansive Amboseli ecosystem that has a variety of flora and fauna.

The Day 6 of the competition will see the speedsters cover a total of 367km, of which 211km will be competitive and 156km endurance.

They will start the opening Stage 13, which is a 53.2km twisty track that runs from Meshinani Gate to Elenkay, today morning.

“This section is an absolute joy to drive on,” said Chaggar.

Stage 14, which is about 70.87km long, is another new route for the rally. This section has a lot of variation, from long bends to narrow tracks.

“This is not a stage for the faint hearted,” warned Chaggar.

“Top seeded drivers are likely to hit 200kph, a favourite of the rally. The first 12km stretch is on a big road with long bends over loose gravel.”

The last section of the day will be Stage 15, which will pass through Isineti and back to Amboseli National Park.

This 87.4km stretch has typical tracks that are fast and twisty. It has occasional slow rocks but fun to drive on.

The final few corners of this route to the finish line are spectacular, making it a popular spot for photo lovers.

The rally will be in Amboseli for three nights. For spectators who want to catch a glimpse of the rally, Chaggar said Amboseli has the best accessible control points where they can enjoy the competition.

“At Amboseli, they can stay the whole day and watch as the drivers battle in the morning and on their way back in the evening.

“Amboseli’s ecosystem also has a variety of flora and fauna, including the elephants, zebras, wildebeests, giraffes, among others.”