TWO WEEKS AND COUNTING UNTIL THE WORLD’S CLASSIC RALLY CARS ROAR TO LIFE IN KENYA AGAIN
(Posted 05th November 2015)
It will be local favourite Ian Duncan – twice past winner of the rally – in a Ford Capri 3100 who will roar down the starting ramp first at the Sarova Whitesands Resort and Spa on the 19th of November, exactly two weeks from today, leading a pack of top rally drivers from around the world into the bi-annual event. The route covers 3.331 kilometres this year and crosses the border into Tanzania again, making it a truly East African event. Second and third off the ramp will be two past FIA World Rally Champions, Greg de Mevius from Belgium and Stig Blomquist from Sweden, both driving Porsche 911’s.
The first competitive sections will run along coastal back roads before then leaving the port city and heading upcountry, where over nine grueling days some twenty four competitive sections need to be completed, more than 80 percent of which, or some 2.000 kilometres, have not been used by past events, holding plenty of surprised for the racing teams and their service crews.
(Picture courtesy of EastAfricanSafariRally.com)
The biannual rally has established itself as one of Kenya’s highest profile motor sport events and it brings in thousands of additional visitors who want to see their idols of yesteryear race each other again. Key event sponsor is once again Kenya Airways, the Pride of Africa while such giant global companies like Shell have come on board to join hands with the organizers by donating fuel vouchers for the teams. Regional office supplies market leader Copy Cat will once again provide photocopying services and provide badges for the teams, officials and the media. Kenya Wildlife Service too is part of the event this year as are other service providers like Access Kenya.
The rally will then end again at the Sarova Whitesands on the 27th of November and Kenyans will no doubt root for Ian Duncan to defend his title, no mean task considering the field of his 52 other opponents, details of whom can be accessed via http://www.eastafricansafarirally.com/competitor-information-2015/start-list-day-1/
