Duncan’s Ford steals show at Mombasa finish

• Star’s win, the first by Mustang globally, is the third by a Kenyan in the regional rally

Ian Duncan is the 2009 Kenya Airways East African Safari Classic Rally champion, bringing his Ford Mustang home first at the end of a 10-day contest which covered stages in Kenya and Tanzania.

One of the most familiar names in the history of the Kenyan National Rally Championship series and a leading rally driver known globally, Duncan proved he was the best in the game by winning the fourth edition of the event in a Ford Mustang.

“I am delighted with the victory. It has been one of the toughest events of my career. I am so grateful to my sponsors and members of the service crew who have played a massive role in my victory. It is a great victory,’’ said Duncan.

Duncan was also grateful to his sponsors, Goodyear Tyres, Sopa Lodges and Tangaza, for their support. He said he was impressed especially with the having suffered just one puncture compared to the rest of his rivals.

Mustang’s first-ever win

His victory is the third for a Kenyan driver after Rob Collinge won the inaugural rally in 2003 and then defended it successfully in 2005 by retaining the title in the same Datsun 260Z.

Duncan’s victory puts Ford on level terms with Datsun in the Manufacturers Class after Bjorn Waldegaard won the title in 2007 driving a Ford Escort RS. It is, however, Mustang’s first-ever victory in any kind rally globally.

For Duncan to have fought a triumphant battle with one of the world’s best known rally drivers, the victory will probably go in history as a better accomplishment than his Safari Rally win in 1994 when the rally was part of the World Rally Championship.

His biggest scare came on Day Eight when his Mustang suddenly stopped with en electrical failure a short distance out of the competitive stage.
Germany’s Karl-Heinz Goldstein, a former engineer with Toyota Team Europe and who is here as Chief Scrutineer, said it was a miracle for Ian to have sorted such a technical issue under difficult conditions.

Despite failing to win the title he won 2007, Waldegaard was full of praise for Duncan who he said “was a fantastic driver and very good mechanic.

“Duncan drove like a crazy driver. It was hard to catch him. He is a good driver and good mechanic to have prepared the Mustang so well. I want come back and try and win the rally again.’’ said Waldegaard.

Jonathan Savage, and his sons Quentin and Russell, made history by finishing the rally in the 11th and 13th respectively.

Fastest stage time

Senior Savage was in a Datsun 260Z and the boys in a Datsun 180B that not only finished the rally but scored a three second fastest time in the final sections of the competition.

Aziz Tejpar and Andy Nagi finished in the 12th on their Classic Rally debut driving a Ford Escort.