This archive report was first published on 1 November 2019.
Abdul Sidi, a seasoned motorsport journalist, reported on the partnership between Vivo Energy Kenya and the 2019 East Africa Classic Rally in November 2019.
As the official fuel sponsor, Vivo Energy Kenya's Shell V-Power and Aviation Gas (Avgas) brands will provide approximately Sh2.7 million worth of fuel for marshals and officials' vehicles throughout the nine-day competition.
The company will also supply Avgas to four rally drivers under the same partnership.
The 2019 East African Safari Classic Rally team has finalized its route plans for the ninth edition of the competition, which will take place later this month.
The team, led by Clerk of the Course Raju Chagger, returned from Tanzania where they had gone to check the final route plans.
According to Chagger, the team managed to complete their final checks in Tanzania, assessing conditions as it was continuously raining in the areas. However, there are no real concerns, as the roads are all passable with some tricky muddy sections, but won't affect the rally.
Chagger added that few stages in the Tanga region may be a concern if the current weather pattern remains. However, the team has alternate routes planned and will only make the change after receiving their report from the two-day advance car.
The team is now happy with the route set up on both sides of Kenya and Tanzania.
The total distance will be 4,500km, with 1,700km being competitive.
Other co-sponsors of the Classic Rally include Bidco Africa and Vivo Energy.
The Safaricom-sponsored event will start from the Whitesands Hotel in Mombasa on November 28, with the first car flagged off at 7am.
The final stage will be run at the Mombasa Cement on December 6, where the first car will hit the road due at 12 noon.
