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KQ Safari, recreation of the 1977 East African Safari

Nairobi, September 14--The stage is set and it is all systems go for the 59 contestants in the 3rd KQ East African Safari Rally in Kenya and Tanzania. From its humble beginning in 2003, the Safari, now fighting for its deserved place in the Kenya's sporting annuals after the Tusker Safari Sevens and Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon, is a true reflection of Kenya's special places in the world motor racing.

Enthusiasm and response at home and abroad has been overwhelming to a point it now rivals the once world championship Safari Rally. With 36 drivers being local, the safari's future has been assured. That 59 drivers two of them former world champions and shapers of the sport in the 80s through 90s_confirms the thirst and great memories rallying tests in Kenya and by extension Tanzania evoke the world over.

To headline this year's Safari between November 25 to December 3 is three times Safari champion Bjorn Waldergard, winner of the 1977 East Classic in a Ford Escort RS1800.

In a repeat of history, Waldergard, a former world champion and a true legend among peers, is looking forward towards the Safari with the same temperament like in 1977 when it was thoroughly wet. But he went on to conquer the marathon, consolidating his lead through the thoroughly wet Kerio/Cherangani Hills sections when he gradually ran away from his distant cousin Rauno Aaltonen, one of the original Flying Finns who was driving a Datsun 160J.

Weather conditions are threatening to recreate the race of 1977, according to event's director Surinder Thatthi. During recce, Thatthi went calling the managing director of the Fluorspar Mine, down the scenic Kerio
Valley but a nightmare for drivers irrespective of the weather condition.
He was informed that the weather pattern indicate another El Nino is in the making, based on the 1997 figures.

With the cars on either front or rear wheel traction,
the Safari could be a real test for man and machine if the current rains persist. However, organisers have complementary notes and
routes in a worst case scenario.

Waldergard will drive a Ford Escort MKII followed by Stig Blomqvist in a similar machine. The evergreen Swede, navigated by Anna Goni from Venezuela, was second last year behind Rob Collinge in his quest for
Safari victory which has eluded him since his days with VW Golf and Ford.
Kenya's greatest hope is Ian Duncan, the 1994 Safari Champion in a 4.5 litre Ford Mustang which he has fine-tuned though entered by Historic Motorsport.
In 2005, Duncan who had overcome some teething problems including electrics in the Ford Escort RS1600 in Kenya and parts of Tanzania was getting fired up after setting fastest stage in the (in) famous
Usambara Mountains when he suffered a nasty roll and bowed out.

Given his driving approach in the national championship events, he is bound to make good his challenge. In a battle between the engineering excellence of the West and simplicity but proven knowledge of the Orients, the Safari will water down to another bruising showcase between the Datsun and the Fords
Just like the old days.

Through Collinge, Datsun has won the last two editions with Ford looking for their first. This, according to aficionado could turn out to be the year for Ford
and the foreign drivers to break the East African jinx. However, the Datsun brigade will not let it go.

One of the leading foreigners, John Lloyd has been out in Kenya testing it on typical roads in a Datsun 260Z. Lloyd has participated in both the previous editions of the Classic Safari and is likely to be a strong contender for outright victory this year. On his first Kenya Airways Safari Classic in 2003, he rolled his Ford Escort on the very last day while lying a creditable fifth overall. On the last Classic Safari in 2005, he finished third overall in a Porsche 911.

Preparations are certainly hotting up for the Kenya Airways Safari Classic with many competitors taking the opportunity to test or try their cars in Kenya and Tanzania. After his run in the car Lloyd commented "I am very happy with the set up of the Datsun 204Z and I hope to challenge for top honours this year"

EASR Secretariat

East African Safari Rally Limited
P.O. Box 14910
Westlands 00800
Nairobi
Kenya
Tel: +254-20-4450030
Fax: +254-20-4450050
Cell: +254-733-730556
Email: info@eastafricansafarirally.com