Foreign drivers to spice up June 8 KCB Safari Rally

By Feverpitch Reporter

No one knows what is up the sleeves of foreign entrants but their high-octane antics should be deep during the 60th KCB Safari Rally slated for between June 8 and 10.

Following the close of deadline to submit entries last Friday, the Safari has attracted more than10 foreign drivers.

Zambian speedster and current ARC leader Mohammed Essa and his Zimbabwean counterpart Gred Stead are set to give the Kenyan a run for their money following victory in the recent Zambia International Rally.

Essa, driving a Prodrive Subaru N12 and will drive to salvage the pride of this car make considering the success of Mitsubishi EVO 9 by Kenyan top guns Alastair Cavenagh, Ian Duncan and Carl Tundo who is the reigning Safari champion.

Ugandan Jas Mangat and his compatriot navigator Gihan De Silva are set to shore up the Subaru campaign besides leading his country’s assault. Mangat is not new in Kenya, having competed in the 2010 and 2011 KNRC seasons and emerging second at last year’s KCB Safari.

Route finalised

Giancarlo Davite from Rwanda will drive a Subaru Impreza N 11 navigated by his female co-driver Sylvia Vindevogel. Kenyan Division Two leader Manvir Singh Baryan has sought the services of French navigator Denis Giraudet. Sylvia Vondevogel exuded confidence.

“We are getting focused and piling up energy. The car is being worked on, and I’m jacking up my Giancarlo who had to digest Zambia deception! But we are more and more motivated and our Safari objectives are clear,” said Vondevogel.

Also from Uganda are Dr  Ashram Mohammed and Fred Wampamba. Christakis Fitidis of Rwanda is also back in Safari.  The Main N Class has over 35 entrants, the 2WD 19 and supplementary class 24 cars.

Event director Dali Kalsi has confirmed that the route has been finalised and that it is all systems go despite heavy rains witnessed in the recent past.

He said necessary changes have been made including removing all stretches with black cotton soil and resorting to all-weather roads around Kajiado and Il-Bisel regions.

The Service Park in Day Two and Three will be confined at Il-Bisel Primary School.

Flag off is scheduled for the traditional KICC ramp followed by a spectator stage at Uhuru Park and back to KICC for an overnight stay on June 8. The rally will end on June 10 with the ceremonial finish programmed to start at 4pm.