Safari Classic Rally lives upto billing

Austrian Rosenberger co-driven by female navigator Bleicher leave historic mark as toughest rally ends.

With the Austrian winner the 2019 East African Safari Classic Rally, Kris Rosenberger leaves a big mark in the famous round of the World’s toughest Marathon Raid Event.

The event organisers were also left smiling after seeing the 10-day competition come to a successful ending.

Rosenberger was an excited driver though he faced minor issues in the wet conditions driving a Porsche 911.

“Winning the East African Safari Classic Rally is one of the biggest achievements I can remember in my rallying career. The event is famous in the world and that adds extra sweetness to my victory,” said Rosenberger.

Rosenberger added: “This for sure was the biggest challenge I’ve ever faced, the toughest rally in the world.

Rally debutant, Osian Price was equally chuffed with his success.

“East African Safari Classic Rally is a historic event for me. After nine days of intense rallying, it felt strange not jumping into the car this morning. I met great people and made new friends along the way. Great feeling to be class and stage winners on my first ever visit,” said Pryce.

Rosenberger has won the Austrian Rally Championship in addition to winning the Austrian Historic Rally twice.

Rosenberger’s victory with Nicola Bleicher as his co-driver also goes down as the first ever victory for a female navigator in the history of the Safari Classic Rally.

Others female competitors included Julia Savesson with Trey Lockey (6th place), Kate Hyes and her father Joe Hayes (12th) and Juliette Brinkerhoff with Renee Brinkerhoff (15th).

Evergreen Swedish driver Stig Lennart Blomqvist, who made his international breakthrough in 1971, finished second as he showed no signs of slowing down. Driving an Audi Quattro for the Audi factory team, Blomqvist won the World Rally Championship drivers’ titles in 1984 and finished runner-up in 1985. He won his home event, the Swedish Rally, seven times.

Raju Chaggar, the Clerk of Course was happy that all went well after many months of preparation for the event.

“This Classic Rally is like putting together all eight Kenya National Rally Championship events and then run it. Wonderful experience and with the help of the following officials; Alfir Khan my deputy, my assistants Tinu Khan and Qayum Shiraz plus a big family of officials. I am just very grateful,” said Chaggar.

Only 16 of the original 20 starters finished the grueling rally that lasted 10 days, covering over 3,390 kilometres divided into 24 stages across the Kenyan and Tanzanian borders. Tanzanian side proved tough as one full day was cancelled due to rains.

Onkar Rai was the best-placed local driver among the five Kenyans out of the 16 survivors of the rally. Tejveer Rai finished in the top-10 while Aslam Khan (11th), Baldev Chager (14th) and Ian Duncan (15th) finished in that order outside the top-10.

Safaricom, Vivo Energy Kenya, Whitesands Hotel, Bidco Africa and DT Dobie were the main sponsors of the 2019 East Africa Classic Rally.