Flying Finn Laukkanen upbeat as foreign drivers begin recce ahead of Safari Rally

Finland’s Tapio Laukkanen embarks on his official reconnaissance plans on Tuesday morning as part of the schedule set for the foreign drivers taking part in this year’s KCB Safari Rally.

The majority of the local drivers were expected to have finalised theirs by Monday evening.

Laukkanen became the first-ever driver from Finland to win a local round of the Kenya National Rally Championship by clinching victory of the KCB Kisumu Rally in February.

When asked about the pressure he may be facing after his historic victory in the Kisumu Rally, he was cautious in his response.

“There is no pressure on my side at all. The biggest issue is to keep the car in good shape over the three days. Of course rain will make things a little complicated,” he said.

MINOR HITCHES

Several drivers expressed optimism after going through the 1032 kilometre route, of which 361 will be competitive.

The feedback varied with many expressing satisfaction with the set up though several others, who did not want to be mentioned by name, expected minor hitches with the notes, to be corrected by the time the event kicks off on Friday morning.

Hussein Malik said he was happy with the set up and looked forward to a great Safari Rally after accomplishing his recce plans. Malik will drive a Mitsubishi Lancer Evo6.

“The stages are great with a mixture of everything. If it rains then it’s going to be one heck of an event. I am looking forward to a strong finish in what is considered the biggest event of our calendar,” said Malik, who finished third in the overall standings of the Group S Class of the 2014 KNRC.

Natash ‘Tash’ Tundo, who will be one of the only two female drivers, echoed similar sentiments at the end of her programme.

“The recce went well. In Meru it was very wet and slippery so it should be good fun. The Safari is covering all the different types of terrain in Kenya from black cotton soil to rocky to open plains. It will be a real test of endurance and stamina,” said Tash, sister of Carl Tundo, the former national rally champion.

Meanwhile, unlike Alastair Cavenagh, who has swapped his Proton for a Porsche 911 for the Safari Rally after niggling mechanical problems with the super car, Tundo, the multiple winner of the KNRC title and a former Safari Rally winner, has no intentions of following his close friend.

He said he has all the confidence in the Proton to perform to its original expectation once minor problems are sorted out.

“This car is fantastic to drive when the going is good. It is impressive and fun rally car. I just need to iron out the tiny problems,” said Tundo.