Classic drivers cross back into Kenya
After the wet and muddy run in Tanzania, the 2011 Kenya Airways East African Safari Classic reaches the halfway stage on Wednesday as drivers return to Kenya to tackle picturesque sections of the great Rift Valley.
And after entering Tanzania through Tarakea border near Loitoktok on Monday, rally cars will cross over to Kenya through Namanga border.
But the crews will only pull in to the nightstop at Oltukai Lodge in Amboseli after tackling stages around Monduli and Longido in Tanzania and two in Kenya around Il-Bissel and Ndialangoi.
Excitement builds up
Excitement was building up among teams as the journey back to Kenya beckoned. Legendary driver Patrick Njiru, gearing for a big comeback, sounded optimistic at Mount Meru Lodge.
Njiru is set to take over the wheels from American celebrity Travis Pastrana with whom they are sharing the Race4Change-sponsored Porsche 911.
Pastrana has had his fair share of speed, with three top 10 stage times and winning the CS2 stage at Shelembwa near Voi.
Asked whether he felt rusty after a decade’s sabbatical, Njiru said his recent test drives with the Race4Change team were a clear indication that he is up to the task.
Pastrana departs tomorrow and will be airlifted from Amboseli to Nairobi, where he will catch his scheduled flight back home.
Njiru was upbeat, saying rally routes in the Rift Valley were still familiar to him.
South African Geoff Bell and Tim Challen (Datsun 260Z) said the run in Tanzania was quite challenging.
“It was quite tough in the first section on Tuesday and the mud was bad.
“We had no brakes for a long way due to overheating but then they cooled right down in the water.
“The last section was perfect and we had no problem,” he said.
Car misfires
Kenyans Alastair Cavenagh and Carl Tundo (Ford Escort Mark 2) weren’t a happy lot.
“We’ve had all sorts of problems today. Our car misfired at the start of the section and we had to keep jump-starting it.
“We spent more time out of the car than inside. Amazingly, we had no problem in the water. The second section was much better,” Cavenagh said.
