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KQ Classic Safari organizers to run the longest competitive section ever

Organizers of Kenya Airways East African Classic Safari Rally will run the longest competitive stage ever in the history of the sport.

The Event Director said after a rigorous route survey “of a spectacular 154.7Km stage awaiting to rewrite history books when the event revs-off in the coastal city of Mombasa in November.”

The stage runs south of Lake Manyara (famous for tree climbing lions) to the Loibosot escarpment and back to Arusha; passing near the famous Ngorogoro Crater.

“The stage is a mix of virtually everything. It’s twisty in some places and tends to transform into a high-speed affair then to a somewhat rougher drive as it progresses towards a hilly stretch. It starts from the Usa River near Arusha and goes down south, taking crews through a deep river-crossing where thrills and spills are guaranteed.”
“As the stage run wares-on, crews tackle an open speed area into the hills approximately 100Km south of Arusha. It then takes a rough and rocky trend near Lokisale before taking on to a flat-out stretch north of Manduli,” said Surinder.

The recent route survey epitomizes a breathtaking run when the rally Tanzania enters Tanzania.
“The 60Km Longido-Sanya Juu section is simply fabulous. On route survey we came around a bend and there were four fully grown cheetah's not happy about distrurbing their peace.

On the last day of the rally the route climbs up 75Km towards Usambara mountains with 1000 corners that comprise some action-packed and intricate hairpin bends. The route survey has officially closed but we will be back on the ground to access the viability of roads after short season rains later in the year. But road books should be out in a month’s time,” Surinder added.
The Usambara section along with Kerio Valley and the 50Km Taita Hills sections make up three classical stages synonymous with the old-version of the Safari that put Kenya on the world rally map in the 60s and 70s.
“The Kerio Valley stretch will not go through Fluorspar area. It will revisit Kimwarer and Tenjes areas and onward to Kipsaos,” the Event Director added.
The Rally headquarters will be at Sarova Whitesands Hotel in Bamburi north of Mombasa.
Competitors will start in Mombasa on the 24th November 2007 at 3pm in the afternoon under the famous "Tusks" on Moi Avenue Mombasa, then follow 4360 kilometers of grueling African Safari country to Nairobi.
On Sunday 25th November 2007 the event will arrive at the EA Portland Cement Quarry in Athi River to give Nairobi residents a good view of the Classic rally cars in action when they compete the Blue Triangle Quarry stage.
Kenya Airways is planning a 'motorsport day out' for Nairobi residents and there will be plenty of sideshow activities before the KQ Classic Rally gets under way at 3 pm. “Fans can also get to meet the drivers like Bjorn Waldergard and Stig Blomqvist at Athi River, while they wait to start the section.