Rai leads Kenyan charge at EA Safari Classic

Sweden’s Stig Blomqvist set the pace on Day Seven of the East African Safari Classic Rally to take a comfortable overall lead, while Kabras Racing Teams Onkar Rai finished the day as the top placed Kenyan driver.

Blomqvist navigated by Jorgen Fornander in their Tuthill Porsche 911 snatched the lead from second placed Austrian Kris Rosenberger opening a wide 55 minute lead from the rest of the pack.

The 1984 World Rally Champion won the first stage of the day, the 53Km Magazoni 3 to Old Korogwe stage outpacing Baldev Charger by 10 seconds.

Onkar, navigated by Drew Sturrock who are having a well balanced classic rally are the best placed Kenyans overall in 4th place with a narrow gap of 9 seconds between them and third placed classic rally debutant Phillip Kadoorie navigated by Ryan Champion in Porsche 911.

Tejveer Rai/Gavin Laurence in a Porsche 911 is lying 10th overall.

Aslam Khan navigated by Imran Khan in their Porsche 911, was the best placed Kenyan after yesterday’s action but dropped a spot down today and is lying 6th.

Baldev Chager who is now lying 14th overall won the last section of the day, the 74.5Km Buto/Kifaru stage with the fastest time of 30.42

Aslam Khan who was the best placed Kenyan after yesterday’s action dropped a spot down today lying 6th.

Kenya’s hopeful Ian Duncan skipped today’s action as he repaired his Rover Vitesse after it developed oil pressure problems in yesterday’s action.

Today’s action took the drivers through (53.88km) Magazoni/Old Korogwe, (91.84km) Mkomazi/Same and (74.50km) Buto/Kifaru in Tanga, Arusha then crossed the border to Kenya headed for the overnight stay at Voi WildLife Lodge in Taita Hills.

Tomorrow the competitors will then tackle the 8th day with 3 stages set in Sagala/Kirumbu 40Km, Teita Estate/Kileva 66Km and the longest section in Maungu/Mackinnon made up of 76Km.