Pryce fastest in test run, Stig up for Classic battle

Sixty-two-year old Renee Brinkerhoff (right) will be co-driven by her daughter Juliezze Brinkerhoff (left) in their Porsche 356 car during the East African Safari Classic which starts 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. [Gideon Maundu/Standard]

Former world rally champion ready to defend the title as East Africa Safari Classic rally zooms off today.

All is set as crews begin the first real action of the East African Safari Classic Rally once the cars are flagged off this morning at 7am from the Whitesands Hotel in Mombasa.

Driving a Ford Escort, Oslan Pryce of Wales was the fastest driver in yesterday’s prologue stage at the Mombasa Cement grounds where twenty cars took part in the testing session.

Rally drivers will visit today’s three competitive stages through Mackinnon Road/Maungu (75.52kms), Kirubi/Taita Gate (77.70kms) and Mwatate/Shelembwa (55.60kms). Drivers will have an overnight rest halt at the Wild Life Lodge.

Legendary former world rally champion Stig Blomqvist said he expects tough competition.

The 1984 World Rally Championships title winner won the 2017 East Africa Safari Classic rally and he is ready to defend it. “I have come to Kenya to defend my title. I expect a stiff challenge from six drivers, who have been regulars at the event since 2003 when it was revived,” said the 73-year-old Swedish rally legend. “The current heavy rains are another worrying factor. It has been raining heavily in Kenya and Tanzania and we expect some of the roads to be impassable. However, I am on top of my class and I am ready to retain my title since rallying for me is a true calling,” said the Swede, who is navigated by Jorgen Fornander in a Porsche 911 car.

Italian driver Eugenio Amos co-driven by Roberto Mometti in a Porsche 911 is also optimistic of navigating the challenging roads. “Our car is in perfect condition and we hope to drive it safely to the podium,” said Amos who has participated in the Dakar rally.

Briton Philip Kadoorie and his co-driver Ryan Champion are also focused on driving their Porsche 911 to the finish. “We know the roads might be challenging due to the heavy rains, but we hope to be among the finishers,” said the Briton.

Kenyan drivers Ian Duncan and his navigator Anthony Nielsen in their Rover Vitesse, Kabras Sugar Racing teams Baldev Chager, Onkar Rai and Tejveer Rai are ready to raise Kenyan flag high.

Among the major sponsors of the event include Safaricom, Vivo Energy, Saravo Hotels, DT Dobie and Bidco Africa.

The nine-day competition starts today from Mombasa before tackling the first four days of the competition within Kenya. The last four days plus a day’s rest will be based in Tanzania before returning to Kenya.

Classic rallying is all about endurance, and crews should get ready for mammoth stages of up to 160km long. The rally is set to cover more than 4,500 kilometres in Kenya and Tanzania over nine days. The longest stage will be 160kms while the shortest will be 60kms.

The East African Classic Safari Rally has been running every two years since 2003 and is open to two-wheel drive, naturally aspirated rally cars built before 1985.