Waldergaard secures last-minute deal to defend title

World Rally icon Bjorn Waldegaard of Sweden will after all participate in the Kenya Airways East African Safari Classic Rally after securing a last minute sponsorship deal to help him defend the title he won in 2007.

Previously based in Kenya but now a resident in the USA, Iqbal Sagoo has lured the former Safari Rally champion to drive his Porsche 911 after Waldegaard’s previous sponsor had withdrawn his entry from this year’s edition due to lack of funds.

“To have Waldegaard back in the fold is a great asset for the KQ Rally and its image. We have accommodated a few conditions for his sponsor to be able to enter the rally by charging no entry fees,’’ said Surinder Thatthi, the Event Director.

Apart of the deal will be for Sagoo to navigate one of the best known rally drivers in the world. Waldegaard’s son, Matthias will sit it out after helping his dad win the 2007 KQ Classic Rally.

Put on high alert

Meanwhile, despite having a good testimony on safety records, the organisers of the fourth edition of the Kenya Airways East African Safari Classic Rally will not relent on improving the facilities in this year’s event to start from Mombasa on 23 November.

“The safety and security of the competitors cannot be compromised in any event. We cannot relax on such issues though the rally has had one of the cleanest record so far,’’ said Thatthi.

FIA Medical delegate, Harjinder Channa from England will head the medical team. He will be in a helicopter to be deployed within the areas of the competition.

Hospitals along the route have been put on full alert in cases of any emergencies.

Full list of contacts and exact locations of the hospitals have also been identified and ready to be presented to the Medical Team, officials, competitors, team managers and all those involved with the rally.

Thatthi’ safety outfit includes, two fully equipped Ambulances, helicopter, gyro-copter, doctors (2), Accident Trauma qualified nurses (4) and Police (150 per day and total 1350).

“It is a mammoth task considering the event will cover nearly 4500kms with sections both in Tanzania and Kenya over a 10-day period. I have 89 senior officials in 28 different vehicles to make sure well over 329 persons are well taken care off throughout the entire route,’’ added Thatthi, fresh from being appointed FIA Vice President to oversee motor sports activities in the African Region.