This archive report was first published on 20 November 2019.
Published on November 20, 2019, the East African Safari Classic Rally is set to kick off with a lean but mean field of 21 cars, including a strong lineup of foreign drivers.
Among the foreign crews are two previous winners of the rally: Stiq Blomqvist and Ryan Champion. Champion, who shared the victory with Kenya's Carl Tundo in the 2017 edition, will this year navigate Philip Kadoorie in one of the Porsche 911s.
Philip Kadoorie, a seasoned motorsport driver, has a background in GT cars and has competed in circuits across China and the Middle East. He has also explored historic rally cars, including a Lancia Stratos and the Porsche 911, with the goal of reaching the finish and enjoying his first time in a rally in Africa.
Kenyan driver Ian Duncan, a two-time winner of the rally, will debut a Rover Vitesse in this year's Safaricom-sponsored event. Duncan has a rich history in the rally, having won the 2009 East African Safari Classic Rally in a 1968 Ford Mustang and following that with another victory in a Ford Capri in 2013.
Other notable drivers include Gilberto Sandretto, who has made his debut in Africa in the 2015 Classic event and has also tackled other events in Africa in countries such as Morocco Historic Rally. He will be navigated by the legendary Fabrizia Pons, who has navigated Michele Mouton among her lead drivers.
The nine-day competition will start in Mombasa next Thursday and will run in Kenya and Tanzania, with major sponsors including Safaricom, Vivo Energy, Saravo Hotels, DT Dobie, and Bidco Africa.
