Ken Block has taken an early lead in the East African Safari Classic Rally after Day One of the events which traversed the Great Rift Valley terrain.
The American star, navigated by Alex Gelsomino in a Porsche 911, clocked 02:35:52.7 hours. Kris Rosenberger and his partner Nicola Bleicher in a Porsche 911 clocked 02:36:44.1 to finish second.
The top placed Kenyan was Baldev Chager third place in a time of 02:38:52.0 hours. Chager completed the Porsche 911 clean sweep in an event that will end in Watamu on February 18.
South Africa-based Kenyan champion Lee Rose was the event’s early pacesetter after he won the opening stage at Eburu. Patrick Sandell of Sweden took the second stage at Poror before Block ran quickest at the Narub stage which was the last of Day One.
The captivating race saw a number of incidents including Flash Tundo having a tyre puncture. Classic Rally 67-year-old South African veteran Geoff Bell driving Dansport 10 timed out due to a broken distributor but will continue outside classification. Kenyan driver Quentin Mitchell in car no 22 is out permanently due to engine failure while Jean-Michel Martin, driving car No 18, was time-barred.
Sports Cabinet Secretary, Amina Mohamed, said the 10th edition of the East African Safari Classic Rally promises to offer an exceptional experience to the 48 drivers and navigators, and a magnificent display of skills and prowess to spectators across the 11 counties that fall within its course.
“It is worth noting that Safari Rally remains at the core of our national heritage. Our passion and excitement whenever we watch the Safari Rally is an inherent trait that is palpable,” she added.
CS Amina said the competition speaks of Kenya’s cultural richness, unparalleled enthusiasm, and the inimitable power that sports, as a sector, has, in enhancing national cohesion and unity. She said the presence of renowned local and international rally drivers was a mark of approval of the quality of the competition and its growing popularity globally.
Day 1 Provisional Results:
1.Ken Block/Alex Gelsomino (Porsche 911) 02:35:52.7
2. Kris Rosenberger/Nicola Bleicher (Porsche 911)02:36:44.1
3. Baldev Chager/Ravi Soni (Porsche 911) 02:38:52.0
4. Lee Rose/Douglas McNeil (Ford Escort RS 1800) 02:38:57.3
5. Patrik Sandell/Henrik Bolinder (Porsche 911) 02:39:48.9
6. Raaji Bharij/Tauseef Khan (Ford Escort) 02:40:24.5
7. Ian Duncan/Anthony Neilsen (Rover Vitesse)02:41:29.8
8. Joost Van Cauwenberge /Jacques Castelein (Porsche 911) 02:42:35.5
9. Carl Tundo/Tim Jessop (Triumph TR7) 02:44:17.2
10. Piers Daykin/Pierre Arries (Datsun 240Z)02:44:21.1
11. Evgeny Kireev /Dale Furness (Porsche 911)02:44:55.1
12. David Danglard/ Gavin Laurence (Porsche 911)02:49:47.5
13. Andrew Siddall /Gary McElhinney (Datsun 280Z)02:53:38.4
14. Richard Arrowsmith/Tej Sehmi (Ford Escort RS 2000) 02:56:58.6
15. Frank Tundo/Speedy Tundo (Triumph TR7)02:59:34.2
16. Phillip Kadoorie/Ryan Champion (Porsche 911)02:59:35
17. Mark Bentley/Ed Bentley (Ford Escort MK 2)03:04:38.9
