This archive report was first published on 3 December 2019.
Published on December 3, 2019
Foreign drivers are now at the forefront of the East African Safari Classic Rally, following a setback for the best-placed local competitor, Tejvir Rai.
Rai, driving a Porsche 911, lost his third-place position on Sunday after damaging his right wheel around Arusha in Tanzania.
Meanwhile, Kris Rosenberger of Austria, navigated by German Nicola Bleicher, maintained his lead on Day Six, also driving a Porsche 911.
Sweden's Stiq Blomqvist, navigated by Jorgen Fornander, is in second place, also driving a Porsche 911, while Philip Kadoorie from Hong Kong, navigated by Briton Ryan Champion, is in third place.
Aslam Khan, the top Kenyan driver, is in fifth place, closely following Roger Samuelsson of Sweden, who is in fourth place.
Former leader Onkar Rai, navigated by Drew Sturrock of Britain, is lagging behind, almost 90 minutes behind the front pace with three days of racing remaining.
Other Kenyan drivers, including Baldev Chager and Ian Duncan, have also faced setbacks, with Chager lying 14th overall and Duncan losing valuable time due to oil pressure issues.
Three crews have withdrawn from the rally, including Jayant Shah of Tanzania, Rommy Bhamra of Kenya, and Gilberto Sandretto of Italy, who left due to personal matters.
The rally will continue on Wednesday, with drivers facing challenging routes around Arusha, before returning to Wild Life Lodge in Taita Hills, Kenya, for an overnight stay. The rally ends on Friday in Mombasa.
