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East African Safari Classic Rally 2015 – Report and Photos

Kurt Dujardyn and Filip Deplancke Porsche 911 Reinhard Klein/McKlein
Kurt Dujardyn and Filip Deplancke Porsche 911

The East African Safari Classic Rally 2015 was held November 19-27, starting and finishing in Mombasa on Kenya’s Indian Ocean coast. The biennial rally saw more than 50 teams battle 3,331 kilometres (2,070 miles) of terrain through Kenya and Tanzania, including 24 competitive sections that totaled 2,000 kilometres (1,242 miles).

The East African Safari Classic Rally is an open road event, meaning competitive sections aren’t closed off to the public and goats, wandering villagers and wildlife are some of the hazards rally drivers needed to be aware of as they powered along. A total of 53 teams participated in this year’s rally, with 21 Porsche 911 entries, followed by 13 Datsuns, 11 Ford Escorts, a couple of Triumphs, Ferrari 308 GT4, Mercedes-Benz 450 SLC, Peugeot 504 and a Trabant.

The 2015 Safari Classic Rally was spread over nine days in both Kenya and Tanzania, with 24 competitive sections that will largely decided the result since the liaison sections between them were driven in time with no penalty under normal circumstances. Eighty percent of the roads used for the competitive sections were new to the rally. This year’s rally started in Mombasa on November 19 with a loop of competitive sections finishing back the Whitesands Hotel before spreading its wings to travel to Tanzania through Amboseli and the border post of Namanga. In Tanzania it visited Lake Manyara and Arusha and then went back to Mombasa via the border post at Taveta. A total of 46 cars finished the rally. In order to qualify as completing, participants needed to complete four of the eight days of the rally.

The 1984 World Rally Champion Stig Blomqvist — navigated by Stephane Prevot in the number 3 Porsche 911 — was this year’s winner of the East African Safari Classic, only the second rally Blomqvist has won in Africa. The veteran rally driver admitted that this year’s event had been particularly hard, “Safari is never easy. This rally has been quite rough. A bit of rain and a bit of everything.”

Blomqvist was followed by his Team Tido teammate, and professional touring car driver Richard Goransson, with Emil Axelsson in car number 6. They closely tailed Blomqvist by a few minutes throughout each day, until the last day when they suffered a series of setbacks that left them eight minutes behind. Dropping from their regular second placing out of the top ten in all stages, Goransson said “We are very pleased with the result for my second attempt at this event.”

Bernard Munster in the number 9 Porsche 911 came in 5th was very pleased with his result, especially since he towed his BMA teammate Gregoire de Mevius 17 kms out of CS19 section on Day 8 after de Mevius hit a spectator’s car. Munster explained, “He broke his drive shaft and his wheel was bent so we towed him to the end of the stage. We did it fast enough so we could keep our place – we went 80kms an hour over the jumps and everything with him behind on the towrope. I knew I couldn’t lose too much time as Cavanagh was behind me on the road, but didn’t want to leave de Mevius behind.” As a result of their quick exit, the Porsche 911 of De Mevius and Nicolas Gisoul retained 3rd place.

The first Kenyan team to finish was the Porsche 911 of Alistair Cavanagh and Gavin Laurence, who came in 4th place. Cavanagh commented, “It was a good result given the problems we have had. “We had to nurse the car for two days, so it’s as good as can be. We have to start preparing for 2017 now!”

Next on the ramp was one of two non-Porsches in the top 10, a Ford Escort owned and navigated by Ranjeet Sehmi and driven by Raaji Bharij, which took 6th place. “We had a great rally, we didn’t have even a single puncture. The only stoppages were due to mud during the whole rally. Day six we were fourth overall, and we have set some reasonably good times. We are top of our class” said Sehmi.

The distinctive yellow Porsche 911 driven by 75-year-old Jayant Shah and Ravi Chana drove a consistent steady rally to 7th place, while Tuthill Porsche’s Richard Jackson and Ryan Champion and Steve Troman and Calvin Cooledge took 8th and 9th, respectively. The final place in the top 10 went to Viking Motorsport’s Jan Hagman and Philip Clarke in a Ford Escort RS 1800.

Similar to 2009, 2011 and 2013, Sports Car Digest also documented the 2015 running of the East African Safari Classic Rally, with McKlein Photography providing the stunning images. We split up the 125 pictures into two galleries. The first gallery starting below features our favorite images, all displayed in the full-width view, while the second gallery and race results can be found on the last page of the article and gives a comprehensive view of all the photographs.

East African Safari Classic Rally 2015 – Featured Photo Gallery

 

Porsche 911 of Steve Troman and Calvin Cooledge at the start of the East African Safari Classic Rally 2015
Porsche 911 of Steve Troman and Calvin Cooledge at the start of the East African Safari Classic Rally 2015
Porsche 911 driven by Stig Blomqvist and Stephane Prevot
Porsche 911 driven by Stig Blomqvist and Stephane Prevot
Porsche 911 driven by Stig Blomqvist and Stephane Prevot
Porsche 911 driven by Stig Blomqvist and Stephane Prevot
Bernhard Kessel and Ronny Kessel Porsche 911
Bernhard Kessel and Ronny Kessel Porsche 911
If you break down...
If you break down…
Aslam Khan and Arshad Khan Porsche 911
Aslam Khan and Arshad Khan Porsche 911

 

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East African Safari Classic Rally 2015 – Featured Photo Gallery Page Two

 

Michael Kahlfuss and Ronald Bauer Trabant 601R
Michael Kahlfuss and Ronald Bauer Trabant 601R
Onkar S. Rai and Baldev S. Chager Porsche 911
Onkar S. Rai and Baldev S. Chager Porsche 911
Porsche 911 driven by Stig Blomqvist and Stephane Prevot
Porsche 911 driven by Stig Blomqvist and Stephane Prevot
Kurt Dujardyn and Filip Deplancke Porsche 911
Kurt Dujardyn and Filip Deplancke Porsche 911
Matthais Kahle and Thomas Schunemann Datsun 260Z
Matthais Kahle and Thomas Schunemann Datsun 260Z
Marzio Kravos and Crispin Sassoon, Ferrari 308 GT4
Marzio Kravos and Crispin Sassoon, Ferrari 308 GT4

 

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East African Safari Classic Rally 2015 – Featured Photo Gallery Page Three

 

Christer Johansson and Mattias Adielsson Porsche 911
Christer Johansson and Mattias Adielsson Porsche 911
Onkar S. Rai and Baldev S. Chager Porsche 911
Onkar S. Rai and Baldev S. Chager Porsche 911
Christer Johansson and Mattias Adielsson Porsche 911
Christer Johansson and Mattias Adielsson Porsche 911
Bernard Munster and Johan Gitsels, Porsche 911
Bernard Munster and Johan Gitsels, Porsche 911
Marzio Kravos and Crispin Sassoon, Ferrari 308 GT4
Marzio Kravos and Crispin Sassoon, Ferrari 308 GT4
Tim Mammen and Kishan Bhanderi Mazda RX-7
Tim Mammen and Kishan Bhanderi Mazda RX-7

 

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East African Safari Classic Rally 2015 – Featured Photo Gallery Page Four

 

Jonathan Somen and Richard Hechle Ford Escort
Jonathan Somen and Richard Hechle Ford Escort
Gregoire de Mevius and Nicolas Gilsoul, Porsche 911
Gregoire de Mevius and Nicolas Gilsoul, Porsche 911
Andrew Siddall and Carl Williamson, Datsun 260Z
Andrew Siddall and Carl Williamson, Datsun 260Z
Richard Jackson and Ryan Champion Porsche 911
Richard Jackson and Ryan Champion Porsche 911
Rollover and keep going - David von Schinkel and Per Bjorkman Porsche 911
Rollover and keep going – David von Schinkel and Per Bjorkman Porsche 911
East African Safari Classic Rally 2015
East African Safari Classic Rally 2015

 

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East African Safari Classic Rally 2015 – Featured Photo Gallery Page Five

 

Bernard Munster and Johan Gitsels, Porsche 911
Bernard Munster and Johan Gitsels, Porsche 911
Carl Tundo and Tim Jessop Triumph TR7 V8
Carl Tundo and Tim Jessop Triumph TR7 V8
Kailesh Chauhan and Imran Khan Ford Escort MkII
Kailesh Chauhan and Imran Khan Ford Escort MkII
Porsche 911 driven by Stig Blomqvist and Stephane Prevot
Porsche 911 driven by Stig Blomqvist and Stephane Prevot
Porsche 911 driven by Stig Blomqvist and Stephane Prevot
Porsche 911 driven by Stig Blomqvist and Stephane Prevot
Rollover and keep going - David von Schinkel and Per Bjorkman Porsche 911
Rollover and keep going – David von Schinkel and Per Bjorkman Porsche 911

 

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East African Safari Classic Rally 2015 – Featured Photo Gallery Page Six

 

East African Safari Classic Rally 2015
East African Safari Classic Rally 2015
Ondrej Coufal and Roman Madera Datsun 240Z
Ondrej Coufal and Roman Madera Datsun 240Z
Jonathan Savage and Kieran Day Datsun 260Z
Jonathan Savage and Kieran Day Datsun 260Z
Christer Johansson and Mattias Adielsson Porsche 911
Christer Johansson and Mattias Adielsson Porsche 911
Aslam Khan and Arshad Khan Porsche 911
Aslam Khan and Arshad Khan Porsche 911
Geoff Bell and Tim Challen Datsun 260Z
Geoff Bell and Tim Challen Datsun 260Z

 

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East African Safari Classic Rally 2015 – Featured Photo Gallery Page Seven

 

Michael Kahlfuss and Ronald Bauer Trabant 601R
Michael Kahlfuss and Ronald Bauer Trabant 601R
Pawel Molgo and Piotr Domownik Mercedes-Benz 450 SLC
Pawel Molgo and Piotr Domownik Mercedes-Benz 450 SLC
Navraj Sagoo and Harneel Singh Sagoo Datsun 260Z
Navraj Sagoo and Harneel Singh Sagoo Datsun 260Z
Carl Tundo and Tim Jessop Triumph TR7 V8
Carl Tundo and Tim Jessop Triumph TR7 V8
Carl Tundo and Tim Jessop Triumph TR7 V8
Carl Tundo and Tim Jessop Triumph TR7 V8
Kobus Coetzee and Jonathan Pollen Ford Escort
Kobus Coetzee and Jonathan Pollen Ford Escort

 

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East African Safari Classic Rally 2015 – Featured Photo Gallery Page Eight

 

Richard Goransson and Emil Axelsson, Porsche 911
Richard Goransson and Emil Axelsson, Porsche 911
Richard Goransson and Emil Axelsson, Porsche 911
Richard Goransson and Emil Axelsson, Porsche 911
Richard Goransson and Emil Axelsson, Porsche 911
Richard Goransson and Emil Axelsson, Porsche 911
Bernhard Kessel and Ronny Kessel Porsche 911
Bernhard Kessel and Ronny Kessel Porsche 911
Tuthill Team Paddock - East African Safari Classic Rally 2015
Tuthill Team Paddock – East African Safari Classic Rally 2015
Marzio Kravos and Crispin Sassoon, Ferrari 308 GT4
Marzio Kravos and Crispin Sassoon, Ferrari 308 GT4

 

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East African Safari Classic Rally 2015 – Featured Photo Gallery Page Nine

 

Onkar S. Rai and Baldev S. Chager Porsche 911
Onkar S. Rai and Baldev S. Chager Porsche 911
Jonathan Savage and Kieran Day Datsun 260Z
Jonathan Savage and Kieran Day Datsun 260Z
Raaji Bharij and Ranjeet Sehmi Ford Escort
Raaji Bharij and Ranjeet Sehmi Ford Escort
Jorge Perez Companc and Jose Volta Ford Escort RS 1800
Jorge Perez Companc and Jose Volta Ford Escort RS 1800
Geoff Bell and Tim Challen Datsun 260Z
Geoff Bell and Tim Challen Datsun 260Z
Andrew Siddall and Carl Williamson, Datsun 260Z
Andrew Siddall and Carl Williamson, Datsun 260Z

 

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East African Safari Classic Rally 2015 – Featured Photo Gallery Page Ten

 

Onkar S. Rai and Baldev S. Chager Porsche 911
Onkar S. Rai and Baldev S. Chager Porsche 911
Bernard Munster and Johan Gitsels, Porsche 911
Bernard Munster and Johan Gitsels, Porsche 911
Frank Tundo and Natasha Tundo Triumph TR7 V8
Frank Tundo and Natasha Tundo Triumph TR7 V8
Francois Lethier and Arnaud Debron - Peugeot 504
Francois Lethier and Arnaud Debron – Peugeot 504
Kurt Dujardyn and Filip Deplancke Porsche 911
Kurt Dujardyn and Filip Deplancke Porsche 911
Tim Chesser and Arron Banks Ford Escort
Tim Chesser and Arron Banks Ford Escort

 

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East African Safari Classic Rally 2015 – Featured Photo Gallery Page Eleven

 

Bernhard Kessel and Ronny Kessel Porsche 911
Bernhard Kessel and Ronny Kessel Porsche 911
Frank Tundo and Natasha Tundo Triumph TR7 V8
Frank Tundo and Natasha Tundo Triumph TR7 V8
Steve Troman and Calvin Cooledge Porsche 911
Steve Troman and Calvin Cooledge Porsche 911
Paul Darrouzet and Tariq Malik Datsun 260Z
Paul Darrouzet and Tariq Malik Datsun 260Z
Geoff Bell and Tim Challen Datsun 260Z
Geoff Bell and Tim Challen Datsun 260Z
Joakim Roman and Jorgen Fornander Porsche 911
Joakim Roman and Jorgen Fornander Porsche 911

 

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East African Safari Classic Rally 2015 – Featured Photo Gallery Page Twelve

 

Bernard Munster and Johan Gitsels, Porsche 911
Bernard Munster and Johan Gitsels, Porsche 911
Joakim Roman and Jorgen Fornander Porsche 911
Joakim Roman and Jorgen Fornander Porsche 911
Richard Jackson and Ryan Champion Porsche 911
Richard Jackson and Ryan Champion Porsche 911
East African Safari Classic Rally 2015
East African Safari Classic Rally 2015
Gregoire de Mevius and Nicolas Gilsoul, Porsche 911
Gregoire de Mevius and Nicolas Gilsoul, Porsche 911
Porsche 911 driven by Stig Blomqvist and Stephane Prevot
Porsche 911 driven by Stig Blomqvist and Stephane Prevot

 

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East African Safari Classic Rally 2015 – Featured Photo Gallery Page Thirteen

 

Gilberto Sandretto and Fabrizia Pons Porsche 911
Gilberto Sandretto and Fabrizia Pons Porsche 911
Rommy Bamrah and Harvey Jutley Datsun 240Z
Rommy Bamrah and Harvey Jutley Datsun 240Z
Jan Hagman and Philip Clarke Ford Escort RS 1800
Jan Hagman and Philip Clarke Ford Escort RS 1800
Roger Samuelsson and Robin Friberg Porsche 911
Roger Samuelsson and Robin Friberg Porsche 911
Gilberto Sandretto and Fabrizia Pons Porsche 911
Gilberto Sandretto and Fabrizia Pons Porsche 911
Raaji Bharij and Ranjeet Sehmi finished 6th overall with their Ford Escort, the highest ranking non-Porsche 911 team
Raaji Bharij and Ranjeet Sehmi finished 6th overall with their Ford Escort, the highest ranking non-Porsche 911 team

 

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East African Safari Classic Rally 2015 – Featured Photo Gallery Page Fourteen

 

Paul Darrouzet and Tariq Malik Datsun 260Z
Paul Darrouzet and Tariq Malik Datsun 260Z
Raaji Bharij and Ranjeet Sehmi Ford Escort
Raaji Bharij and Ranjeet Sehmi Ford Escort
Joakim Roman and Jorgen Fornander Porsche 911
Joakim Roman and Jorgen Fornander Porsche 911
Jorge Perez Companc and Jose Volta Ford Escort RS 1800
Jorge Perez Companc and Jose Volta Ford Escort RS 1800
Richard Jackson and Ryan Champion Porsche 911
Richard Jackson and Ryan Champion Porsche 911
Dinesh Sachania and Tinu Khan Datsun 180B
Dinesh Sachania and Tinu Khan Datsun 180B

 

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East African Safari Classic Rally 2015 – Featured Photo Gallery Page Fifteen

 

Bernard Munster and Johan Gitsels, Porsche 911
Bernard Munster and Johan Gitsels, Porsche 911
Kobus Coetzee and Jonathan Pollen Ford Escort
Kobus Coetzee and Jonathan Pollen Ford Escort
Nish Lakhani and Teeku Patel Datsun SSS 1800
Nish Lakhani and Teeku Patel Datsun SSS 1800
Ramesh Vishram and Rohit Bhudia Ford Escort MkII
Ramesh Vishram and Rohit Bhudia Ford Escort MkII
Simon Connolly and Francis Connolly Porsche 911
Simon Connolly and Francis Connolly Porsche 911
Overall Winners - Porsche 911 driven by Stig Blomqvist and Stephane Prevot
Overall Winners – Porsche 911 driven by Stig Blomqvist and Stephane Prevot

 

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East African Safari Classic Rally 2015 – Main Photo Gallery (click image for larger picture and description)

 

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East African Safari Classic Rally 2015 – Overall Race Results

  1. Stig Blomqvist / Stephane Prevot – Porsche 911
  2. Richard Goransson / Emil Axelsson – Porsche 911
  3. Gregoire de Mevius / Nicolas Gilsoul – Porsche 911
  4. Alastair Cavenagh / Gavin Laurence – Porsche 911
  5. Bernard Munster / Johan Gitsels – Porsche 911
  6. Raaji Bharij / Ranjeet Sehmi – Ford Escort
  7. Jayant Shah / Ravi Chana – Porsche 911
  8. Richard Jackson / Ryan Champion – Porsche 911
  9. Steve Troman / Calvin Cooledge – Porsche 911
  10. Jan Hagman / Philip Clarke – Ford Escort RS 1800

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[Source: East African Safari Classic Rally; photos: McKlein Photography]