Bar raised as driving aces Blomqvist, Goransson enter Classic Safari Rally

Gregoire De Mavius in a Porsche 911 during the 2013 KQ EA Safari Classic Rally. PHOTO | ANWAR SIDI |

What you need to know:

  • Former World Rally champion, Stiq Blomqvist, Gregoire de Mevius, the former World Group N Champion and Swede Richard Göransson, who is the past European Touring Car Champion and four-time Swedish Touring Car champion are some of the big names expected to grace the event.

Plans for the 2015 Kenya Airways East African Safari Classic Rally are gathering pace. The rally is expected to live up to its enticing international flavour with some of the star names from the World Rallying circles already enlisted for the marathon event.  

Former World Rally champion, Stiq Blomqvist, Gregoire de Mevius, the former World Group N Champion and Swede Richard Göransson, who is the past European Touring Car Champion and four-time Swedish Touring Car champion are some of the big names expected to grace the event.

They will drive the Porsche 911s specially prepared and serviced by Tuthill Porsche Team.

“We have already attracted 52 drivers so far from various parts of the world. We still have room for eight more entries before we close the doors,” said Ashok Bhalla, the event manager.

Blomqvist was one of the biggest names to ever grace the Safari Rally when it was part of the World Rally Championship. “It is always great to have big names like Blomqvist and De Mevius in the rally that has a big impact not only in Kenya but worldwide.

“We want to make the next edition even more spectacular and friendly. Our team is fully engaged in making sure the rally lives up to its reputation,’’ said Raju Kishinani.

UK-based Kishinani is the principal share holder of the company East African Safari Rally Limited with J.S. Vohra of the Sarova Hotels as the other shareholder. They are the main brains behind the success of the KQ-sponsored series since the change of ownership a couple of years ago.

However, the defending Classic Rally Champion, Ian Duncan, remains a man in dilemma as he is undecided on which car to enter for the 2015 marathon rally.

 The Ford Capri, with which Duncan won the last event, will not be allowed to enter this year’s round of the series following changes in the Homologation rules. The Classic Rally is open to cars, which were manufactured before the end of 1978 and those which conform to the current rules and regulations.

“I am in a confused state at the moment because my Capri has been ruled out for technical reasons,” Duncan told Sunday Nation Sport.