Follow The Excitement Of The East African Safari Classic Rally
Each day we’ll update this blog with the progress of the toughest rally in the world: 63 entrants over 9 days, covering 4000 kilometers endurance racing across Kenya - the EASCR is an unmatchable event.
The Founders and Directors of Vipingo Ridge have great rallying pedigree and this year Vipingo Ridge made history, partnering with the rally as the start of the 11th edition of the event. Not only was Vipingo Ridge the place for the Drivers Briefing and the Ceremonial Start, but a 15.41km Prologue was held. This race against the clock through our spectacular terrain was to set the day one racing placements, and was challenging for a few teams.
How to follow the Classic Safari Rally online
The rally routes are not disclosed in advance so that there’s a fair competition. We do know that from Vipingo Ridge, drivers head a short distance to Voi for stages, onto Amboseli, to Nairobi, back to Amboseli, Voi and onto Diani for the finish.
Leg 1 Rally Update - Sunday 10th December - Vipingo to Voi - Competitive Stages 1, 2 and 3
After an early 4:30 AM breakfast the first car was off at 6:00AM. He opened the event yesterday, and today Baldev Chager in his Kabras Porsche 911 was first on the road as the teams begin this challenging event.
Here’s Eddie Kimani kicking off the Day 1 action with an update Sunday morning:
Leg 1 this Sunday, heading from Vipingo Ridge to Voi, included competitive 3-stages. Noted to be a tough and unforgiving day by the competitors, Kenyan Piers Daykin rolled in the first stage, and winner of the Prologue at Vipingo Ridge, John Coyne from Ireland replaced his gearbox. From the Tuthill team, Evgeny Kireev limped out of Stage 3 with only 3-wheels.
Let’s hear from the top 3 placed drivers from Day 1
Leg 2 Rally Update - Monday 11th December - from Voi to Amboseli - Competitive Stages 4, 5 and 6
Starting Day 2 with a 79km Stage 4 to Taita Sanctuary teams had a tough day 2, with a cancelled stage and the South Africans in their Datsuns dominating the headlines.
Competitive Stage 5 was cancelled.
Event Director Raju always said the routes are changing daily with the rains.
Image courtesy of EASCR Facebook Page.
South African dominance
Johnny Gemmell and Co-driver Carol Swan won both Competitive Stage 4 and Stage 6 on the second day of racing in their Datsun 280z. Geoff Bell had a very impressive and consistent drive, extending his lead to over 3 minutes. Here’s what he had to say:
“We are still having over heating problems so we are having to change the gear early not getting the normal top speed that we are used to but overall nice day and the last stage was fantastic”.”
Leg 3 Rally Update - Tuesday 12th December - from Amboseli to Naivasha - Competitive Stages 7, 8 and 9
Leg 3 promised to have challenging stages, including Iremito to Selenkay, 77km and then CS8, Olootepes to Isinya, 64km and finally CS9 from Parane to Kamukuru which is 75km.
Day 3 proved to be significant with retirements from our Prologue winner John Coyne retiring on medical grounds, and the two Morgan’s unable to continue after a particularly Day 2.
Morgan Car 61 at the Prologue at Vipingo Ridge. Image courtesy of East African Classic Safari Rally Facebook.
Checking in on the Kenyan drivers
After losing time getting lost on Day 2 defending champion Baldev Chager in his Porsche 911 had a better day to secure third place overall 12.46 behind the leader. After a tough start yesterday Chager was happy with Day 3:
““Yesterday after losing time and getting lost I think the rest of the day went very well for us. Enjoyed today’s first stage though we had to stop to change a flat tire and then on to the second stage which we also enjoyed but was very rocky and literally had to drive on rocks. Going into third stage I was looking forward to it. Have rallied on it before but I wasn’t sure what to expect because we never know what happens to the roads after the rain.””
After their dramatic roll on Day 1 Kenyan's Piers Daykin and Tariq Malik in a Datsun 280Z, claimed the third stage victory, outpacing Amos by 1 minute and 4 seconds.
The Leader
Geoff Bell’s lead in the first two days did not hold as the overheating issues with car continued. The opportunity was taken by Italy's Eugenio Amos in his Porsche 911, creating an impressive lead of 3 minutes and 13 seconds. Here’s an update from Tuthill Porsche who have moved into the lead, and still have all their cars in the running:
Leg 4 Rally Update - Wednesday 13th December - from Amboseli to Naivasha - Competitive Stages 7, 8 and 9
Leg 3 promised to have challenging stages, including Iremito to Selenkay, 77km and then CS8, Olootepes to Isinya, 64km and finally CS9 from Parane to Kamukuru which is 75km.
More updates to come as this event continues. #TwendeClassic
