Mind games drive Safari rally

Mind games between two former Safari Rally winners are on as Ian Duncan and Bjorn Waldegaard strategise for the 2009 Kenya Airways East African Safari Classic Rally, which is on its fifth day.

Waldegaard is slowly but cleverly putting pressure on Duncan to buckle as they battle for the lead in the world’s toughest rally.

After holding on steadily to the number two spot for the past three days, the 2007 winner suddenly exploded with the fastest time in the opening sections on Wednesday to close the gap on Duncan to 22 seconds from 2:19 minutes a day earlier.

Duncan said he was concerned about Waldegaard’s pace, but the Swede said: “I am going slowly and just looking at Duncan trying to go faster.’’

Waldegaard may be expecting Duncan to make mistakes with the pressure he is quietly building at the back. But Duncan is a tough nut to crack, having proved his ability to go fast and stay at the top in a car that is considered bulky and at times uncontrollable due to its engine power.

After setting faster times the previous day, Duncan was slower on Wednesday, with third and fourth fastest times, respectively. He said: “I am actually surprised at our times, although we did not have major problems all day.”

Waldegaard’s Porsche 911 is considered lighter, quicker and easier to drive, not forgetting his three decades of Safari Rally experience.

Gerard Marcy of Belgium has steadily climbed up the leader board after his Porsche recorded quickest time in the final stage of the day. Jonathan Savage (Datsun 260Z) was the next placed Kenya driver, in seventh place.