Battle of man and machine at Safari Classic Rally in Kenya and Tanzania

Mechanics make final touches as they prepare cars for the East African Safari Classic which starts tomorrow (Thursday) at the Sarova Whitesands Beach Resort, November 26, 2019. The classic rally will take at least ten days through Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and back to Mombasa. [PHOTO BY GIDEON MAUNDU/STANDARD].

 

It's a battle of man and machine as drivers size up in the 2019 Safaricom East African Classic Rally that starts at Whitesands Hotel in Mombasa tomorrow.

Drivers will go through muddy terrain during the day and night for nine days covering Kenya and Tanzania.

The first four days of the competition will be held in Kenya while the last four and a day's rest is set for Tanzania before returning to Kenya for the final leg.

The event has attracted over 20 drivers and will cover 24 stages in the 4,500 kilometres across the two countries.

Renée Brinkerhoff, one of the seasoned competitors from the USA, said he intends to finish in the top 15.

“We are ready for the long tough and rough nights during the competition. My 1956 Porsche 356A rally car has so far raced on four continents as part of the Porsche 356 World Rally Tour,” she said.

For her first African rally, Brinkerhoff teams up with daughter Juliette as her navigator. Gilberto Sandretto navigated by Fabrizia Pons is also ready for the tough duel.

The rally will revolve around Voi, Arusha, and Tanga. Each day has three competitive stages and transport or liaison sections.

The contest covers 4,500km which has 1,500km competitive distance covering 24 stages across Kenya and Tanzania. Crews are expected to cover between 309km and 500km each day.

The event ends on December 6 with the longest stage covering 160kms and the shortest will be 60kms. Mombasa Cement will host the first of the 24 competitive stages.

Kenyans taking part in the rally include  Baldev Chager/Ravi Soni, Ian Duncan/Anthony Nielsen, Onkar Rai/Gareth Dawe, Tejvir RaI/Gavin Laurance and Aslam Khan/Imran Khan. The rally starts from the Whitesands Hotel in Mombasa tomorrow at 7 am.