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Muchemi 59th driver in the KQ Classic Safari

Nairobi, July 27---Ben Muchemi became the 59th driver to enter the Kenya Airways East Africa Classic Safari yesterday when he handed over his papers to organizers during a media function at Jacaranda Hotel, Nairobi.
Excuding confidence, Muchemi said he was going for a respectable position and is doing the Safari in honour of his late brother, Brig Muchemi.
"I have always had one motto in life which is well known among my employee: I may walk slowly in life but when I start something, I never stop until I achieve what I have set my sight on," said Muchemi after handing over his papers to the Kenya Airways executive Thomas Opiyo.
"I value myself to have the ability of driving since I got my driving license in 1974 and I am prepared to tackle the rally head on," he added at this function he had invited his daughter Ciku, a student in Nyeri.
"Surinder has told me that this is not a rally for speed but suspensions and endurance which I have achieved in the national championship which is held in different environments and road surfaces, therefore having complete Classic Safari characteristics."
Muchemi has acquired an Alfa fetta GTV which is being re-built by his mechanic cum co- driver George Njoroge in Westlands.
He will fly out out of the country next week to Europe to shop for the right spare parts. Muchemi thanked his sponsors for making his childhood dream come true.
His team is being supported by Safaricom and its dealers Forward Mobiles, Ridgeway Office Supplier, Maxtel Communication, Kentel, Mobicom and Watts Com. Others are Micron, Auto Development and AV Tours.
Amaar Slatch, the co driver of Ian Duncan who will be highest placed Kenyan in the Safari starting among the first 10 drivers, said they will aim for a podium finish after the disappointments of the last edition when their Ford first suffered electrical problems on day one followed by a nasty roll on the second while lying among the top five.
"We already have received the Ford Mustang which we anticipate to test from mid September," said Slatch.
"We need to rectify the suspensions and to hopefully finish among the top three."
Marzio Kravos who will co-drive Renzo Bernardi in a Mercedes Benz 450 SLC, said from the experience of the 2005 Classic, they are paying more attention on the rear axle of their car. "In the last rally we had a major problem which knocked us out of the top 10 and pushed us to 18th.
" Hopefully, with the knowledge we have things will be different this year."
Sopa Lodges, the hotel chain which will be offering some of the accommodation facilities for the rally, has entered two cars for son and father crew of Shahid Wissanji and Shahnawaz Murji .
Wissanji, navigated by Mir Muzzamil in a BMW, is returning to rallying after a long lay-off due to a back injury. He has welcomed the rally crew in the Sopa establishments and hoped to do well. His father is co-driven by Mo Verjee who said their experience of the 2003 rally which will come to play in their final results.
Opiyo said it was a great honour for Kenya to host this world class event as it will attract local and foreign interest.