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WALTZING MATILDA

The nice thing about rallying, especially the classic variety, is how it attracts a wide variety of competitors with an even wider variety of motives for competing. The Kenya Airways East African Safari Classic is no exception and this broad spirit is nowhere better exemplified than in the Australian crew of Rob Garnsworthy and David Ogg.

They state that their key objective on the Safari Classic is "maximum fun, minimum hassle". Of course they are keen to finish but they see that only as a way of meeting new friends and exploring the sights, sounds, people and culture of Kenya and Tanzania. One of their mottos is "You're here for a good time, not a long time" which seems to be an excellent way of focussing one's mind on extracting enjoyment from one of the World's great motoring events.

Rob and David were at school together but only got together to do rallies in 2000 with the Targa Tasmania. Rob has rallied a variety of cars ranging from a 1971 BMW CSL to an Audi Quattro but he favours their current Ford Falcon Fairmont as he is 6ft 7in tall and finds sports cars a trifle cramped. David's first car was an MG TC, which he still owns, though it is now supercharged and is used regularly for both competition and pleasure. He has also competed with a Ferrari 365 2+2.

The pair did the Targa together and then last year entered the Carrera Sudamericana in the regularity section whose slow speeds did not appeal. By contrast, the instant they heard of the Safari Classic, they were determined to do it. The Falcon has seen some previous activity in Round-Australia charity events in which it acquitted itself well, but it has received some additional attention for the Classic Safari including the suspension and engine as well as the adoption of a long-range fuel tank. It has had a shakedown on an Australian rally course where it came through with flying colours.

One hopes that the "Garns and Oggy" team will be there at the finish in Mombasa on December 3rd having achieved all their ambitions.

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E-mail: safari.press@btinternet.com
News will be issued daily during the event on www.eastafricansafarirally.com
Photography is copyright free and can be found at www.mcklein.de all downloads of high resolution photos of the daily action are free of charge.
John Davenport Tel: +44 7973.334297
Francesca Davenport Tel: +44 7976.918968