After dipping to fifth in the Monday proceedings of the East African Safari Classic Rally, defending champion Baldev Singh Chager gained two slots to close Day 3 in the third spot as grueling action ensued.
Chager has over the past three days savoured a steady run since settling second on day one Sunday.
Day 3, which ended with the long and energy-sapping SS09 Parane (74.41-km) stage, took crews to the third night stop at Lake Naivasha Sopa Lodge.
The drivers will pull into the Nairobi segment of the itinerary on Wednesday, where they will spend two nights at the Tamarind.
The prolonged Nairobi stay for crews which will also involve a rest day is a deliberate move to hand them an opportunity to interact with the crews.
And it was a tale of musical chairs as South African Geoff Bell surrendered his two-day lead to Italian Eugenio Amos who closed Day 3 proceedings at the summit with a 3:13.2 minutes advantage. Kenya’s second-best place crew of Rajesh Maini and Devan Bhundia returned to the night stop in high spirits as they closed top 10 ranking in a Ford Escort.
Ian Duncan in his Flying Sausage Datsun returned 12th ahead of compatriot Anthony Nielsen in 15th. This year’s Classic Safari Rally revved off on Sunday and ends on December 18. The edition running entirely in Kenya is particularly special as it marks the 11th edition of the event.
The 2023 Classic recorded the highest number of entries in its history. However, due to limitations in slots, only 63 entrees were allowed to participate. The rally will cover 4,000km over 10 days.
The Safari Classic kicked off with a shakedown stage (Prologue) in Vipingo Ridge, offering foreign competitors a taste of the unique terrain that Kenya has to offer.
Notably, an all-lady team from the Czech Republic, led by renowned singer Olga Lounova, has brought female mechanics, marking a first for rallying in Kenya.
End of Day 3 Results after SS09 Parane
1. Eugenio Amos/Paolo Ceci (Porsche 911) 06:17:55.2
2. Geoff BELL/Tim Challen (Datsun 240Z) 06:21:08.4
3 Baldev Chager/Gareth Dawe (Porsche 911) 06:30:42.1
4. Emile Breittmayer/Alexis Thomas (Porsche 911) 06:38:35.4
5. Jourdan Serderidis/Gregoire Munster (Porsche 911) 06:42:44.2
6. Bonamy Grimes/Martin Rowe(Porsche 911) 06:43:32.4
7. Philip Kadoorie /Ryan Champion (Porsche 911) 06:48:28.2
8. Kris Rosenberger/Nicola Bleicher (Porsche 911) 06:49:39.9
9. Andrew Siddall/Gary MCelhinney (Datsun 240Z) 06:51:39.0
10. Rajesh Maini/ Devan Bhundia (Ford Escort MK1) 06:59:41.1
11. Toby Wright /Douglas Rundgren (Ford Escort MK1) 07:06:30.0
12. Ian Duncan/Jaspal Matharu (Datsun 280Z) 07:07:13.3
