Drivers Aslam, Shakheel target top five finish

Since the East African Safari Classic Rally (EASCR) was established in 2003, Team ALS Motorsport has never missed any edition of the enduring event.

The group has entered two cars in this year’s competition that begins on Thursday.

“Our main target in the rally is a top five finish,” ALS Motorsport Head of Technical, Ben Musomba, told Standard Sports.

“We have entered two vehicles in the contest; a Porshe 911, which will be driven by Aslam Khan and Shakheel Khan’s Ford Escort Mark 1.”

The chief mechanic confirmed the two machines have been moulded to the required specifications, with great horse power to withstand the 5000km journey that will span from Naivasha to Watamu.

“We have already fixed new tyres, done wheel alignments and other general services. We are now fixing the small bits to make the cars perfect,” said Musomba.

Even if they miss the top five spot target, Musomba says they will welcome an impressive finish within the top 10, but are also hopeful to bag a top place in the gruelling battle that has attracted 50 drivers from 17 countries.

Ahead of the competition, Aslam and Shakheel have been stepping up their training sessions in Kiambu and Kona Baridi, in Kajiado.

After studying the new routes of the 24 stages, which will be covered by the drivers, Musomba predicts this season’s event will be a tough one for all participants.

“It’s all about endurance, the one who will bring the vehicle home in one piece,  will triumph; that’s what we are aiming for,” he said.

Interestingly, Musomba has never missed any season of the classic rally since the competition’s inception 19 years ago.

“In 2009, we had high hopes of winning the rally as we were sixth as we headed for the finish line, unfortunately, we rolled into a ditch and were relegated to 12th,” he said.

Aslam, who will be navigated by his brother Arshad Khan, finished 10th in the Mini Classic Rally in Amboseli.

He was 12th in the last EASCR held in 2019, which was won by defending champion Kris Rosenberger of Austria.

The 69-year-old is seeded third in the contest alongside Eric Bengi, Mark Bentley and Quentin Mitchell, among others.

Shakheel is seeded fourth alongside Glen Edmunds, Frederico Polese, Ramesh Vishram, Steve Parkinson, Iain Dobson, Rajesh Maini, Joey Chose, Jamie Clarke, Ivan Manakin and Joey Ghose.