Hunt Steals the Show on Day 7, But Chager Stands Firm in the Overall Battle
Taita Taveta - 11th Dec 2025 - Day 7 of the MRF East African Safari Classic Rally delivered one of the most commanding performances of the event so far, as Harry Hunt lit up the Kenyan landscape with a flawless display behind the wheel.
Hunt and his navigator Steve McPhee swept the first two stages of the day with precision, pace, and consistency, asserting themselves as the standout force on a demanding route that stretched from the technical layouts of Isimeti–Simba to the rugged climb toward Kudu Hill.
Despite Hunt’s remarkable charge, Kenya’s Baldev Chager continues to hold firm at the top of the overall standings with a cumulative time of 14:29:11.7, maintaining his position as the driver to catch.
Hunt’s dominant day brings him closer, now sitting second overall, 14 minutes 30.3 seconds behind the Kenyan. Evgeny Kireev remains steady in third place with a total time of 15:00:40.1, trailing Chager by 31 minutes 28.4 seconds. With two days remaining, the front runners are separated by margins that keep the rally wide open, and every kilometer ahead carries weight.
A notable performance is of Farhaaz Khan and Tauseef Khan who have continued their impressive rise through the leaderboard after breaking into the top ten yesterday, sustaining that momentum with another composed and disciplined drive today.
Now the second-best placed Kenyan in the overall classification, Khan has reinforced his position with a cumulative time of 16:02:50.8, reflecting consistency and maturity behind the wheel.
Baldev Chager
Battles for stages
Earlier in the day, in the battle for fastest stage times, CS16 opened Day 7 with a fast and technical run from Isimeti to Simba in Kajiado County, where Harry Hunt and Steve McPhee set the tone with a stage-winning time of 1:14:20.5. Piers Daykin/Llyod Destro followed 25.8 seconds behind, maintaining strong pace in the morning opener, while overnight leader Baldev Chager/Gareth Dawe settled for third, 56.3 seconds off Hunt’s benchmark.
In CS17, the crews tackled the Ndii–Maktau section, and Hunt once again set the benchmark. He secured back-to-back stage wins with a sharp 36:59.9, reinforcing his growing momentum. Chager followed 23.0 seconds behind, keeping the pressure on but unable to close the gap, with Hugues Lacam posting the third-fastest time, 57.2 seconds off the lead.
The final stage of the day, CS18 from Lumo to Kudu Hill, The third and final stage of the day, CS18, delivered a thrilling finish as Piers Daykin stormed to a stage win with an impressive time of38:50.3. Daykin edging out Hunt by 6.1 seconds, interrupting Hunt’s earlier dominance and showcasing strong pace through the demanding Lumo to Kudu Hill section. Dutch driver Jos Verstappen followed closely in third.
Day 8 Outlook
As the Classic Rally moves into its home stretch, tomorrow’s itinerary promises another demanding three-stage challenge on what will be the second last day of competition. Crews open the day with an 80 km run from Ziwani to Salaita, a stage known for its changing rhythm and long sweeping sections. They will then head into the 50.70 km Teita Pumphouse to Teita Dairy stage, a faster, shorter test where any hesitation could cost valuable seconds. The day concludes with its biggest examination: Mariwenyi to Mwatate Dam, a formidable 107.05 km stage and the longest of the day.
Drivers Quotes
BALDEV CHAGER
“It has been a very long day. The first stage, at 140 km, was the longest we’ve done in this rally, and keeping a competitive pace through that amount of rough terrain was extremely demanding. It was holes everywhere fast, medium, slow and you constantly had to judge which was which. Then there was the usual traffic on the route and even wildlife like giraffes, so you really had to stay alert. The second stage went our way, and we managed to push strongly towards the end. The third stage started well, but it quickly became very tricky with washaways, ruts, and steep drops. We hit one section quite hard, and that was the moment I decided to ease off because it was 60 km of punishing terrain.
Our service crew has been incredible throughout. They get us to every junction, assist where needed, and prepare the car meticulously every evening. Their work gives me confidence every morning when I get back into the car. Sitting in the overall lead is always a pressure point, especially heading into the home stretch of a rally this demanding. It’s a fine balance between pushing for more time and managing risk.”
HARRY HUNT
“It was a really enjoyable day for us. We kept things calm, consistent, and didn’t take unnecessary risks. The last two stages were especially fun fast sections, a bit of wet in the middle, and flowing grassland. The car has been fantastic, and Steve has done a great job on the notes. We’ll see how tomorrow goes; maybe we’ll push a little more. For now, we’re happy with the pace and just want to bring the car home safely. Finishing strong is the priority.”
EVGENY KIREEV
“The first stage felt familiar since we’ve already done it three times, and it was beginning to get a bit rough. The stages overall were a good mix of fast and technical sections, and everything went smoothly for us today. We enjoyed the drive. We did have a big hit on a rock, which caused a slight loss of pace and explains the position changes earlier in the day. But the following stages went much better. With two days left, the pressure is definitely there, but we’re focused and feeling good.”
TAUSEEF
“We came into today with a clear plan to keep a steady pace and stay clean. Not too slow, not too relaxed just consistent. The front runners are pushing incredibly hard, and our goal is simply to remain in the fight by driving cleanly and staying out of trouble.”
FARHAAZ KHAN
“It’s been going really well for us because we understood the notes early and committed to keeping everything clean with no mistakes. That approach seems to be paying off. Before the start of the Classic, my uncle insisted that I take this car and make the most of the opportunity. He called yesterday, very happy with how things are going, and encouraged me to stay focused. The competition, especially from the international drivers, is tough and requires a lot of hard work to stay in the mix. I’m very happy with how we’ve performed so far, and with two days to go, the goal is to maintain this form.”
GEOFF BELL
“These cooling caps we’re wearing support Tom Bell’s charity for schoolchildren, and they’ve been a great help after such a tough set of stages. Today actually felt smoother for us,we were trotting along nicely with no problems. It’s always a pleasure when the day goes like that. We know some of these roads a little better because they’ve been part of the Equator Rally in the past, which helped. The first stage was long but enjoyable. We’re looking forward to the final two days and aiming to finish strong.”
TIM CHALLEN - GEOFF BELL NAVIGATOR
“It was a very good day for us. We drove the first stage carefully, went absolutely flat-out on the second, and really enjoyed the third. I don’t think we could have gone any faster. Everything is working well confidence, teamwork, and pace.
We’re now running sixth overall, which is a fantastic position for the 30th. Very pleased with how the rally is unfolding.”
DAVID BURNS (Co-driver to Keith Mclvor)
“It has been a real mix of challenges today. Every stage demands something different, and the rougher sections have been tough for us, so we’re being cautious. The routes are technical, engaging, and keep you fully focused. We encountered some rain earlier, which made things muddy and tricky, but overall the stages are great fun. With two days left, the goal is simply to manage the car and get through each challenge sensibly. These stages really reward confident drivers, and I’m thoroughly enjoying the experience.”
KEITH McIVOR
“We’re feeling some pressure from behind because we never expected to be in this position. We’re trying to hold onto it, but we may lose a few places in the next couple of days, and that’s fine as long as we finish well. We’ll need to back off slightly because our car doesn’t have the top-end performance of the Datsuns or Porsches. We’re accepting that and doing our best. It’s difficult, but we’re determined to get through.”