Bengi hopes a Kenyan will win Classic Rally

Eric Bengi at Loldaiga Ranch in Laikipia County, Feb 12, 2022. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

As the East African Safari Classic Rally enters its fourth day today, local ace Eric Bengi is hoping the title can be won by a Kenyan.

Bengi’s prayer could be answered as four-time Kenya National Rally Championships winner Baldev Chager maintained his lead as the end of Day three yesterday in Nanyuki, Laikipia County.

Bengi however said it was too early to predict the winner after three days of grueling action that came out with different winners in Nakuru and Laikipia counties.

Bengi who is co-driven by Mindo Gatimu in a Datsun 180B said there was no need to engage in high speed with many days to go before they complete the rally.

“Engaging the machines to high speed at the moment is not necessary with the number of days left,” Bengi told Standard Sports in Ol Kalou.

On the first day after flagging off on Thursday, American Ken Block clocked 2 hours 35min 52.7secs to take the lead ahead of Kris Rosenberg of Austria 2 hours 36min 44.1secs and Kenya’s Baldev Chager 2hours 38min 52secs.

On the second day that ended up in Nanyuki, Laikipia County Chager crowned the day clocking 5 hours 04min 58.8secs ahead Swedish Patrik Sandell who posted  5 hours 07min 06secs and Block 5hours 08 min 56.2secs.

Chager then retained his lead yesterday as drivers perepare for Day four action today.

”We still have six more days to tackle thousands of kilometres left as we head to the Coastal region where the roads are wider and smooth,” Bengi said.

By Friday night, the three top Kenyan drivers were Chager and Ian Duncan who was fourth after he clocked 5hours 10 min 24.4secs.