Drivers gear up for regional race

• Leading cars get the go ahead for start of the 2009 KQ rally set to begin in Mombasa

No reports of major technical changes as leading rally cars get the go ahead for the start of the 2009 Kenya Airways East African Classic Rally set to zoom off on Saturday from the coastal town of Mombasa.

“So far all the cars are conforming to the rules of the game and I don’t expect drivers to break the rules in any major ways.

“However, I have asked few drivers to report back to me after carrying minor repairs to their cars,’’ said Karl Hainz Goldstein, the chief technical officer of the Classic Rally.

Graham Alexander of Australia was among the first drivers to take his Datsun 260Z through the inspection process carried out at the White Sands Hotel in Mombasa.

“The challenge of participating in the premier rally of the world overrides lots of things. I enjoy coming to Kenya to have fun and if I can improve on my fifth of 2005, then I would be very happy,’’ said Alexander.

Former Safari Rally navigator and one of the famous names from the world rally championship circus, Giraudet Denis of France is also here to participate in his first Safari Classic Rally.

“It is very good to be in Kenya again. Safari Rally was always a great event to tackle but I am sure the Classic will be more challenging and enjoyable,’’ said Denis.

Spectator stage

In the Classic Rally, Denis will partner Hardev Singh Sira in a Ford Escort Mexico 1600 after the later swapped it with his familiar Peugeot 504.

At his height, Denis navigated WRC drivers of the likes of Didier Auriol of France, Germany’s Armin Schwarz and Thomas Radstrom of Sweden among others. His best result in the Safari Rally was when he guided Schwarz to the second place in 1999 at the wheels of Toyota Corolla.

Defending champion, Bjorn Waldegaard of Sweden was yet to report to the technical delegate by the time of going to the press. The scrutineering process will last three days before the event zooms off with a spectator stage at the Vipingo ranch on Saturday afternoon.

Leading national rally driver, Ian Duncan, will spearhead Kenya’s interest in this year’s race as entry list for the world renowned event reached the forty-six mark.

It will be Duncan’s second attempt at 10-day marathon rally after retiring his Ford Mustang in the 2007 event while holding on to a commendable third position.

A three-day advance safety car will leave today to report on any major changes that the crew may find on the along route of the rally before rally cars prepare to take off from Mombasa.

Driving a Toyota Prado, Feisal Khan and Frans Jooste will be able to relay back to the rally headquarters of any hazards that the drivers may be warned off.