South Africa's Geoff Bell's Datsun 280Z is one of the foreign cars to watch at next week’s East Africa Safari Mini Classic.
The South African speed merchant is no stranger to the Classic having finished third at both this year’s East African Safari Classic and the 2021 Mini Classic.
He is among the foreigners expected to jet in on Saturday, in time for the event which will start at Sarova Woodlands in Nakuru and traverse some of Kenya’s historic terrains of the old type Safari across the Great Rift Valley.
Bell competed in the 2007 EA Safari Classic Rally with Harris Steve in a Datsun 180B and finished 17th overall. Since then, he has remained a stalwart of the event hitherto regarded as the world’s toughest classic rally.
Bell’s Datsun 240Z and service car are already in the country as his mechanics put the final touches to the team’s preparations.
The South African will team up with his long-standing co-driver Tim Challen and will be hoping to replicate their podium antics in their Datsun machine.
East African Safari Classic general manager Pipi Renu confirmed that all the foreign entrants will be in the country this weekend well in time for next week’s program.
“Geoff’s Datsun is in Nairobi where a team of mechanics are fine-tuning it for the race. It’s that time of the pre-rally period when service crews work meticulously on their machines in their final push for the race program. As you are all aware, many competitions are won in workshops— of course—coupled with drivers’ unique ability on the course,” said Pipi.
Other foreigners expected for the event are Lola Verlaque/Edward Verlaque of South Africa in a VW Golf MK1, Briton Malcom Rich in a Ford Escort MK2 and the Dutch-Belgian team of Remon Vos and Stephane Prevot in a Porsche 911.
Others are Irish driver Tom Wright in a Ford Escort, Belgian Mercedes driver Bart Vanhavebeke and the all-South African crew of Jose Sardinha and Glen Castle in a Pajero.
Meanwhile, the East African Mini Classic Rally received a major boost from Kenya Breweries Limited.
This is the second time that the brand is partnering with the regional motorsport body this year after their involvement in the larger Classic Rally event held back in February.
The brand’s sponsorship is part of the company’s ongoing strategy to leverage the Kenyan motorsport scene to boost its sensitization efforts on responsible drinking as it supports various sporting interactions.
White Cap senior brand manager Abel Ratemo said their increased involvement in motorsport represents the brand’s intent to have a wider and more effective impact on the motorsport scene.
“The mini-classic is an iconic rally that is an extension of the bigger Classic rally that is held annually. As KBL and the White Cap brand, this is another opportunity to connect with our consumers through a shared passion point. We are excited to yet again partner with Safari Classic for this event,” said Ratemo.
