Drivers warned to expect tough terrains during Classic Rally

Classic Rally cars belonging to Aslam Khan (Left) and Azar Anwar had an overnight stay at the Standard Group offices along Mombasa Road after the Launch of partnership between East African Classic Rally and the Media outlet on January 17, 2022. [Stafford Ondego, Standard]

The tenth edition of the East African Safari Classic Rally ( EASCR) has attracted 50 drivers from 13 countries among them double champion Ian Duncan.

Defending champion Kris Rosenberger leads the top seeds in the line up. The Austrian is already pumped up ahead of the competition.

Ahead of the race, the competitors have been warned to expect very tough terrains in their quest to conquer the 5000km journey that will traverse 11 Kenyan counties.

“We have made several regulation changes to make the event more difficult but thrilling. This is meant to enable the competition lives up to it’s billing as an endurance race,” Raju Chaggar, the Clerk of Course, told Standard Sports.

For the first time in history, the drivers will be required to complete the entire course in order to be classified.

Should they retire earlier in the contest, they will not be graded as overall finishers, however, they will be allowed to continue with the competition in the remaining routes till the finish line.

Chaggar, who is fresh from a nine-day recce on the tedious course, says the longest stage in the race that will start in Naivasha on February 10 with the finish line in Watamu on February 18 is a stretch of 120km, while the shortest is 30km.

“Most stages have endurance track of about 8km to 9km. The crews are expected to cover about 4km to 600km per day,” said Chaggar.

While warning the contestants of a tiresome course ahead, Chaggar said: “It will be a long challenging event, very difficult on human mind and their personal strength and will power.

“The competition will be energy sapping for all involved; from the service crew, to the officials, drivers and those following and watching.”

Unlike its tradition of being run on wet Easter holidays, this year’s contest will be held during a dry month of February.

“The temperatures will sore above 37 degrees, the 2WD cars will experience difficulties wading through the soft volcanic soil,” said Chaggar.