To take up a challenge is to not only an attempt to win a contest but to also face a daunting situation that tests one’s abilities. Motorsport enthusiasts regard classic rallying as a form of the sport as exciting and dramatic as its modern day counterparts, where the classic machines are pitted against man and nature in marathon-like events.
The jewel in this sport’s crown is the East African Safari Classic Rally, a staggering nine-day event that winds and snakes its way through Kenya’s most scenic landscapes and over the gravel roads that marked this event as the most trying in the 2002 World Rally Championship season.
Running from 9 to 28 November, crews will face 10-hour days strapped inside their rally weapons as they take on three long special stages each day. These timed sections are linked with open road liaison routes that together will test these purpose-built cars to the limits of their endurance.
As if the conditions and route officials have mapped out in Kenya is not enough of a challenge, former WRC Champions Bjorn Waldegard and Stig Blomqvist have entered in Ford Escorts. With extensive experience not only in rallying in East Africa, but with tried and tested Fords, these two drivers offer the stiffest competition for their rivals. Also on the entry list are Steve Perez (leading British Historic Rally Championship competitor, Dakar legend Gregoire de Mevius, Ian Duncan, the brilliant Porsche 911s from Tuthill Porsche in the UK and USA’s action sports star Travis Pastrana.
However, like the current season of WRC in which Sebastien Loeb and Citroën are dominating once more Mikko Hirvonen and Ford have highlighted that underdogs are never to be discounted. In this regard, two teams from South Africa have entered Volkswagen Golf Mk Is to take on the East African Safari Classic Rally. Sisters Lola and Megan Verlaque, popular rallying figures in Africa, will crew one of the cars with the second machine piloted by Steve Attwell (father of Zimbabwean rally ace Chase) and Eddie Verlaque (father of the “rally chicks” who is himself a highly acclaimed personality in African rallying circles). The team is preparing the Golfs to 1970s specification to meet the requirements of the rally, and with their extensive competition experience in Kenya their cars are sure to be amongst the favourite for overall honours come 28 November’s Podium Cerermony.
The Verlaques invite businesses, brands and individuals to show their support in this prestigious event by offering sponsorship opportunities. Contact Evan Rothman at evanrothman@gmail.com or via +2783456892.