# Chager Leads Classic Safari After Daykin’s Heartbreak

> Nine days, 4,000 kilometres of fesh-fesh roads and choking dust — the East African Safari Classic Rally is like no other challenge on the planet.

- Site: [East African Safari Classic Rally](https://www.eastafricansafarirally.com)
- HTML: [https://www.eastafricansafarirally.com/news/chager-leads-classic-safari-after-daykins-heartbreak](https://www.eastafricansafarirally.com/news/chager-leads-classic-safari-after-daykins-heartbreak)
- Heritage since 1953; typical distance ~4,000 km over 9 days.

Published: 8 December 2025

Daykin, who had controlled the rally for the first three days, ran into trouble just 14 kilometres into SS11, forcing his retirement from the stage and ending what had been a commanding campaign. The development instantly handed the rally lead to country mate Baldev Chager, marking a decisive turning point in this year’s event.

Chager now leads the overall classification after Day 4 with a cumulative time of **09:32:16.0**, placing him firmly in control as the rally heads into the remaining competitive stages. Britain’s Harry Hunt sits second overall on **09:54:28.9**, trailing the leader by **22 minutes 12.9 seconds**. Evgeny Kireev holds third on **10:01:20.3**, while Greece’s Jourdan Serderidis is fourth with **10:01:38.7**. Belgium’s Fred Miclotte completes the top five on **10:03:33.4**, just over half an hour off the overall lead.

The demanding conditions of Day 4 tested both man and machine across the challenging stages, with mechanical reliability, navigation, and endurance proving decisive factors as the rally continues to take its toll on the field.

Just outside the top five, Ireland’s **Keith McIvor** sits sixth overall with a cumulative time of **10:19:29.9**, remaining the leading Class 3 contender and continuing an impressive, measured campaign through some of the rally’s toughest terrain.

Sweden’s **Roger Samuelsson** holds seventh place overall on **10:27:56.8**, maintaining steady momentum in Class 4 as the endurance-focused Safari Classic continues to reward consistency and reliability.

Britain’s **Andrew Siddall** occupies eighth position with a time of **10:36:05.9**, keeping within striking distance of the top seven after another disciplined Day 4 performance.

In ninth place overall is **Thomas Bell** of the United Arab Emirates on **10:37:34.2**, continuing to build forward steadily as the rally enters its decisive closing stages.

Rounding out the top ten is Dutch driver **Roger Hodenius**, currently tenth overall with a time of **10:38:02.5**, staying firmly in contention after a demanding but controlled run through Day 4.

Tomorrow will be a scheduled **rest day** for the East African Safari Classic Rally as the event pauses at the Amboseli Sopa Lodge stop. After four punishing days on some of the toughest terrain in motorsport, drivers and navigators will take time to recover physically and mentally, while service crews use the day to thoroughly inspect, repair, and prepare the cars for the decisive final push of the rally.