Changing of the Guard: Hunt Takes The MRF East African Safari Classic Crown

Diani, Kwale – 13th Dec 2025 - After days of relentless competition across some of Kenya’s most demanding terrain, Great Britain’s Harry Hunt emerged victorious on the final day of the event, delivering a measured, intelligent, and ultimately decisive drive to secure overall victory.

The victory for Harry Hunt, navigated by Steve McPhee in their Tuthill-prepared Porsche 911, and running on MRF Tyres who are the events title sponsors, marks a clear changing of the guard at one of the world’s toughest historic rallies.

Fittingly, Hunt’s triumph came at an event sponsored by MRF Tyres, underlining the role of consistency, durability, and confidence in conditions that demand absolute reliability. The win brings an end to the reign of Eugenio Amos and Paolo Ceci, who claimed the Safari Classic crown in 2023, and signals the emergence of a new champion at the pinnacle of the iconic rally.

Hunt completed the rally with a total time of 19:48:06.4, sealing his place at the top of the provisional overall standings after the final competitive stage. Behind him, Cyprus’ Evgeny Kireev/PG Andersson in a Tuthill Porsche 911 produced a consistent and resilient performance to finish second overall on 20:12:05.8, just under 24 minutes adrift.

Greece’s Jourdan Serderidis completed the podium in third with a time of 20:50:54.8, rounding off a hard-fought rally that tested both machinery and crews to the limit.

BALDEV MISHAP

Earlier in the day, long-time rally leaders Baldev Chager of Kenya and navigator Gareth Dawe were forced out of contention following an accident with just 20 kilometres remaining. Chager had been enjoying a strong run and was nearly 40 seconds up on Harry Hunt at the 80km split, underlining the pace that had kept him in control of the rally for much of the event. Both Chager and Dawe were unharmed. Their retirement brought a dramatic and unexpected end to a commanding rally effort, reshaping the final outcome of the event.

STAGE BATTLES.

The first competitive stage of the day, Mariwenyi to Makinon Rd, saw France’s Hugues Lacam and Delphine claim the stage win in their Porsche 911 Carrera SC with a time of 55:18.1, delivering a precise and disciplined drive. Overall rally winner Harry Hunt, finished second just 21.0 seconds behind. Evgeny Kireev and PG Andersson completed the top three.

Second stage of the day, Kusasha to Agro Sate saw Kenya’s Piers Daykin, with Lloyd Destro, take a well-earned stage win in their Datsun 280Z, stopping the clocks at 48:34.5 Jos Verstappen and Renaud Jamoul finished second in their Porsche 911, 1:17.3 behind, while Hugues Lacam and Delphine Delfino completed the top three.

The final stage, CS24, was won by Geoff Bell and Tim Challen in their Datsun 260Z, setting the fastest time of 40:08.1. Overall champion Harry Hunt, with Steve McPhee, finished second 1:39.1 behind with Jourdan Serderidis and Grégoire Munster completing the top three, ending 2:50.5 off the lead and confirming their podium finish.

Kenya’s Farhaaz Khan delivered one of the standout performances of the rally, finishing inside the top ten overall and emerging as the best-placed Kenyan.

Khan secured an impressive seventh overall, a result built on consistency, composure, and smart decision-making across some of the event’s toughest stages. Khan’s result stood out in a highly competitive international field, reinforcing his growing reputation and underlining the strength of Kenyan participation at the top level of the Safari Classic.