Duncan ,Tundo top dogs in East African Safari Rally

Duncan ,Tundo top dogs in East African Safari Rally

The eighth edition of the Kenya Airways East African Safari Rally got underway from the Sarova Whitesands Hotel in Mombasa on Thursday where 30 cars embarked upon the initial Day One 500 kilometre journey through to Old Tukai Lodge in Amboseli National Park.

Mombasa County Governor Ali Hassan Joho has flagged off the competition that is expected to be a fierce duel among the top drivers.

Seven-time Swedish rally champion Stig Blomqvist’s team Tido was the first off the ramp followed by multiple former Kenya champion Carl “Flash” Tundo, Baldev Singh Chager and Ian Duncan.

Other usual suspects who went over the ramp in Mombasa was 74 year old Tanzanian Jayant Shah who is returning to the competition for the umpteenth time.

The first stage of the rally was a technical 94.07km run through busy villages all the way from Kasava to Samburu.

Mackinon -Taita Grid was the second high speed run through the wildlife Savannah plains and wash-aways totalling 90.53km.

Last but not least was the 23.29km which led the cars through to the first overnight stop at Olive Tukai Lodge.

Carl Tundo is back from the world toughest historic rally in a Top Fry-sponsored triumph TR7 and has won the African Rally Championships (ARC) four times, but has yet to lay his hands on the coveted Safari Classic title.

He started his Classic Safari career two years ago with Alastair Cavenagh who is not in action today.

Ian Duncan being the most successful Kenya National Rally Championship driver, is attempting his third win in the Safari Classic driving a Ford Capri. Baldev Chager is making his debut on the driving seat after navigating for former Kenya National Division two champion Onkar Rai in the two past editions.

  1. Stig Blomqvist /Matias Edelson (TEAM TIDO-Porsche 911/SWEDEN)
  2. Carl Tundo /Tim Jessop (Triumph TR7/KENYA)
  3. Baldev Singh Chager (KABRAS SUGAR RACING-Porsche 911/KENYA)
  4. Ian Duncan (Ford Capri/KENYA)
  5. Geoff Bell (BEST WHYSKEY-Datsun 260Z/SOUTH AFRICA)
  6. Jorge Perez Companc (VIKING MOTORSPORTS-Ford Escort RS1800/ARGENTINA)
  7. Richard Jackson (Porsche 911/GREAT BRITAIN)
  8. Raaji Bharij (Intra Africa Insurace-Porsche 911/KENYA)
  9. Onkar Singh Rai (KABRAS SUGAR RACING -Porsche 911-KENYA)

Today’s Program -Day 1 for first car

6.00am: Start Whitesands

7.05am.. CS1-Kasava-Samburu 94.07km

8.57am: CS2-Mackinon Road Taita Grid 90.53km

2.34am: CS3-Iseneti-Irime 29km

3.19am. Ol Tukai Lodge Amboseli

Tags:

Mombasa Ali Hassan Joho Amboseli National Park Day One 500 kilometre eighth edition Kenya Airways East African Safari Rally Sarova Whitesands Hotel Tukai Lodge

Want to send us a story? Submit on Wananchi Reporting on the Citizen Digital App or Send an email to wananchi@royalmedia.co.ke or Send an SMS to 25170 or WhatsApp on 0743570000

Leave a Comment

Comments

No comments yet.

latest stories