By Feverpitch Reporter
Newcomer Jonathan Somen is eager to use his Ford Escort Mark 2-, the make Bjorn Waldegard used in winning the old type Safari Rally several years ago.
Teaming up with Richard Hechle, Somen is busy testing and preparing for the 2011 Kenya Airways East African Safari Classic Rally that starts in Mombasa on November 19.
Leading the Kenyan assault are 1994 WRC Safari Rally winner, Ian Duncan (Ford Capri), Aslam Khan (Porsche 911) – the defending Kenya Classic Car Cup Champion, Mombasa’s Stefano Rocca (Datsun 260Z), Rommy Bhamra (Datsun 260Z).
The Rally is crowded with legendary names, including 1979 World Rally Champion and four-time winner of the Safari Rally Waldegard topping the entry list in a Porsche 911.
The other is 1984 FIA World champion Stig Blomqvist in a Ford Escort with Venezuelan Ana Goni as his navigator.
In a repeat of history, Waldergard, a former world champion, is looking forward to the Safari with the same spirit like in 1977 when it was wet. But he went on to conquer the marathon, consolidating his lead through the wet Kerio/Cherangani Hills sections when he gradually ran away from his distant cousin Rauno Aaltonen, one of the original Flying Finns in a Datsun 160J.
Top contenders
The other top contenders in 2011 are Belgian’s Gerad Marcy and Stephane Prevot (of WRC fame) and Gregoire de Mevius who was the first Group N champion in the WRC.
Weather conditions are threatening to recreate the wet race of 1977, according to event’s director Surinder Thatthi. He was informed that the weather pattern indicate another heavy short rainy season in November is in the making, based on the 1997 statistics.
With the cars on either front or rear wheel traction, the Safari could be a real test for man and machine if the current rains persist.
One of the leading foreigners, Steve Perez was in Kenya testing it on typical roads in a Datsun 260Z. Perez has participated in the last two editions of the Classic Safari and is likely to be a strong contender for outright victory this year.
On his first Kenya Airways Safari Classic in 2007 he finished fourth overall and on the last Classic Safari in 2009, he finished third overall also in his Datsun 260Z prepared by UK-based BTR.
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