This archive report was first published on 6 December 2019.
December 6, 2019
Austria's Kris Rosenberger and his navigator Nicola Bleicher have made history by winning the East African Safari Classic Rally, driving a Porsche 911 and beating former winner Stig Blomqvist by 1 minute and 33.6 seconds.
The 10-day competition, which started on November 26, 2019, saw Rosenberger and Bleicher navigate through the rugged terrain of East Africa, overcoming various challenges to emerge victorious.
"The East African Safari Classic Rally is one of the toughest events in the world and for me to win it is a great feeling," said Rosenberger. "We had decided to stay behind Blomqvist and gather pace towards the end. It paid off, and we beat one of the best drivers in the world," he added.
Bleicher becomes the first ever female navigator to win the East African Safari Classic Rally, celebrating its ninth edition since the marathon event was introduced in 2001.
Former world rally star Blomqvist managed a commendable second overall in a Porsche 911 with the help of experienced navigator Jorgen Fornander.
The 73-year-old Swede last won the East African Safari Classic Rally in 2015 driving a Porsche 911 during the peak of his life.
Kenya's Onkar Rai was a brilliant third, after leading one stage in Tanzania in the Safaricom-sponsored rally. The Meru Rally winner drove a Porsche 911.
The top 10 finishers in the rally were:
- 1. Kris Rosenberger (AUT)/Nicola Bleicher (DEU) Porsche
- 2. Stig Blomqvist (SWE)/Jorgen Fornander (SWE) Porsche
- 3. Onkar Singh Rai (KEN)/Drew Sturrock (GBR) Porsche
- 4. Philip Kadoorie (HKG)/Ryan Champion (GBR) Porsche
- 5. Roger Samuelsson (SWE)/Robin Friberg (SWE) Porsche
- 6. Trey Lockey (USA)/Julia Svensson (SWE) Porsche
- 7. Eugenio Amos (ITA)/Roberto Mometti (ITA) Porsche
- 8. Tejveer Singh Rai (KEN)/Gavin Laurence (KEN) Porsche
- 9. Osian Pryce (WAL)/Dale Furniss (WAL) Ford Escort
- 10. Scott Armstrong (GBR)/Harpal Singh Sudle (GBR)
