Chager Leads Classic Safari After Daykin’s Heartbreak
AMBOSELI,KENYA 8th Dec 2025 - Day 4 of the 2025 East African Safari Classic Rally delivered high drama and a major shake-up at the top of the leaderboard after overnight rally leader Piers Daykin suffered a heartbreaking setback and failed to finish the second stage of the day.
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.
Harry Hunt has moved up to second overall.