East Africa Safari Classic Rally: Ken Block Takes Early Lead

The 10th Edition of the East African Classic Safari Rally 2022 kicked off Thursday with American rally driver Ken Block finishing first on the podium.

A professional rally driver with the Hoonigan Racing Division was being navigated by Alex Gelsomino in a Porsche 911 and clocked a time of 02:35:52.7.

Austrian driver Kris came in second. He is being navigated by Nicola Bleicher on a Porsche 911.

Kenya’s Baldev Chager navigated by Ravi Soni on another Porsche 911 finished in the third position in a time of 02:38:52.0.

The total distance covered by the 46 drivers flagged off was 496km, 242km of competitive racing and 254km of liasion.

We have officially flagged off the 1st leg of @EastAfricanSC at @KWSTI with a lot of excitement as we enjoy the journey the rally drivers have ahead of them. #TeamSafaricom #ClassicSafariRally pic.twitter.com/CGiMtrzrB7
— Safaricom PLC (@SafaricomPLC) February 10, 2022

DAY ONE RESULTS:

Testing done ✅. Final prep ✅. Dope shots by @McKlein_Rally ✅. Ready for the East African Safari Classic Rally ✅!! pic.twitter.com/ulngA4UDL2
— Ken Block (@kblock43) February 8, 2022

Ken Block/Alex Gelsomino (Porsche911) 02:35:52.7
Kris Rosenberger/Nicola Bleicher (Porsche 911)02:36:44.1
Baldev Chager/Ravi Soni (Porsche 911) 02:38:52.0
Lee Rose/Douglas McNeil (Ford Escort RS 1800) 02:38:57.3
Patrik Sandell/Henrik Bolinder (Porsche 911)02:39:48.9
Raaji Bharij/Tauseef Khan (Ford Escort) 02:40:24.5
Ian Duncan/Anthony Neilsen (Rover Vitesse)02:41:29.8
Joost Van Cauwenberge /Jacques Castelein (Porsche 911) 02:42:35.5
Carl Tundo/Tim Jessop (Triumph TR7) 02:44:17.2
Piers Daykin/Pierre Arries (Datsun 240Z)02:44:21.1
Evgeny Kireev /Dale Furness (Porsche 911)02:44:55.1
David Danglard/ Gavin Laurence (Porsche 911)02:49:47.5
Andrew Siddall /Gary McElhinney (Datsun 280Z)02:53:38.4

The 5,000km race will traverse 7 counties Nakuru, Elgeyo Marakwet, Baringo, Laikipia, Kajiado, Taita Taveta and finish at Ocean Sports Watamu in Kilifi County on the 18th February 2022.

First introduced in 2003, the 10th Edition of the East African Safari Classic Rally, will run from February 10th to 18th, 2022, and promises to stir up the same level of excitement across 11 counties that fall within its course route.#TwendeClassic pic.twitter.com/Wve4zlrW4J
— Ministry Of Sports, Culture & Heritage (@moscakenya) February 10, 2022

“The competition speaks of Kenya’s cultural richness, our unparalleled enthusiasm, and the inimitable power that sports as a sector, has in enhancing national cohesion and unity, “ Amb Amina Mohammed, Sports Minister said on Thursday at the Kenya Wildlife Service Training Institute, Naivasha.
“It is worth noting that Safari Rally remains at the core of our national heritage. Our passion and excitement whenever we watch the Safari Rally is an inherent trait that is palpable,” she added.

2/2 “The competition speaks of Kenya’s cultural richness, our unparalleled enthusiasm, and the inimitable power that sports as a sector, has in enhancing national cohesion and unity, “ said CS Amina. pic.twitter.com/HLzzfdlswP
— Ministry Of Sports, Culture & Heritage (@moscakenya) February 10, 2022