East African Safari Classic Rally - 22 Nov-1 Dec 09

Steve Perez - 'My Greatest Achievement in Rallying...'

Posted: December 1, 2009 5:01 PM

Kick Energy rally driver Steve Perez and co driver Staffan Parmander have finished in a fantastic third position after completing the final day of the 2009 Kenya Airways East African Safari Classic Rally.

Driving the BTR-prepared historic-specification Datsun 260Z, the Chesterfield driver arrived at the Mombasa finish earlier today following the final three stages of the epic ten-day adventure, much to his delight and that of his hard working team.

However, the day wasn't without problems and despite avoiding a single puncture throughout the whole event; the crew suffered a double puncture including a broken rim on the day's first test. Perez's frustration was tempered slightly when his main rival for the final podium position, Gerard Marcy, pulled up in exactly the same spot also with a puncture but with only one wheel to change, was on his way sooner.

Trying to preserve his position, Perez took it easy on the second stage although he punctured again but this time, didn't have to stop and change on stage as he was just 3km from the finish. With just a few miles between him and his first overseas podium, Perez drove exceptionally cautiously on the third and final stage to bring the car home safely and to begin the celebrations.

"Out of everything I've done in rallying, including all the wins I've had, this has to be my greatest achievement. This has given me so much pleasure and just to get to the finish is amazing, let alone on the podium. We had a tyre changing race with Gerard and I was a little worried and then on the last stage, and I'm being serious here, my mum would have overtaken us had she been driving we took it so slowly!" said Steve.

Paying tribute to his team, Perez concluded: "A massive thanks to Tim Ashton and the whole of the BTR team as the car has been perfect and ran faultlessly throughout. This is the last of the great rallies and we're already making plans to come back in 2011 but for now, seeing as though it's both Staffan's and another one of our team, Ian's birthdays today, we're off to the awards presentation and then we'll be spending the rest of the night in the bar!"

Results

Posted: December 1, 2009 5:00 PM

East African Safari Rally

Entry List

Posted: October 20, 2009 2:37 PM

East African Safari Rally

Details

Posted: March 12, 2009 4:44 PM

As you know Kenya's Safari Rally was branded the toughest rally in the world when part of the W R C calendar.

Now we have EAST AFRICAN SAFARI CLASSIC RALLY which is for pre 1974 rally cars run every 2 years [ 2007]

The rally is tough 10 day event but also a fun event.
Many the ex world champions have taken part in the rally and this year PRINCE HARRY will be driving a Porsche.

My objective is to get the Irish Rally teams to enter the rally with the Escort's mark 1 & 2 or 1974 rally car with full local support to make it easy for them.

We can arrange the following support:
1- Services cars with manpower skilled or unskilled
2- Local W/shop for pre rally preparations
3- Local trained crew to help Irish crew
4- Local co drivers with local knowledge
5- Local team manager to manager and coordinate team.

All the above will of course be at an agreed cost.

The local support will be arranged thru SAMMY MOTOR SPORT who have great experience in Kenya & Africa Rally. They can manage maximum 5 teams only.

The Rally entry fee includes -
- Transport of car from UK and back
- Flight ex London with Kenya airways for driver / co driver
- Full board accommodation for drivers and 3 crew after the start of the 10 day event
Entries close on 15 OCT 2009

Starting order published by 01 NOV 2009

Start of Rally on 22 Nov @ 1400

Finish of Rally on 01 Dec 2009

Any teams interested can contact rafiqsumar@yahoo.com

Event Website / Regulations

Posted: March 12, 2009 4:38 PM

East African Safari Rally