NAIROBI, Kenya, Nov 30 – Participants at next week’s East Africa Mini Classic Rally should expect one of the riskiest and toughest races of their lives, East African Safari Classic (EASC) chair Joey Ghose has cautioned.
Ghose said the route of this year’s rally is one that many of the drivers are not used to and will subsequently stretch their skills behind the wheel to the limit.
“I would say the most challenging route is the Cherangany Hills…there are a lot of twists and turns and any slight mistake around the bends means the driver may fall off the cliff. I think the toughest section will be where there are escarpments so you will have to be very careful,” Ghose said.
He further advised drivers to be hawk-eyed around the risky sections, noting that they will need to work concertedly with their navigators to steer through the race successfully and safely.
“I wouldn’t say that the navigators will be crucial in this race. The driver has to be experienced and smart enough not to take unnecessary risks. The risks could be very costly…but then again, motorsports is a crew event. We cannot say that the driver does all the driving while the navigator just sits there…that’s not true and this is going to be the same case for this race,” Ghose said.
Nonetheless, Ghose added that they have put in place solid safety precautions to pre-empt and prevent any accidents involving spectators, drivers as well as all the other participants.
He revealed that they have been working with boda boda associations, in the areas where the rally will be held, to institute these safety measures.
“Yes, the boda boda community will be very important. They are going to marshall the roads to ensure there are no non-competing traffic when the rally is going on. They are very active and very helpful. We are happy to have them on board,” he said.
He was speaking at EASC offices along Mombasa Road on Wednesday afternoon during the unveiling of a Ksh 1.5 million sponsorship by Kenya Breweries Limited via their White Cap flagship.
Ghose expressed his ecstasy at the beverage giant coming on board and paid homage to the firm for their longstanding dedication to growing and promoting the activities of East Africa Safari Classic.
“We only have eight days to the rally and we are pleased to have White Cap on board. This is a big boost for us; it will make the event bigger for us. We know that for the main classic, they also supported us. They have been quite helpful to us and we hope they will continue to work with us,” he said.
Thus far, approximately 33 drivers have confirmed participation in the rally, including eight foreigners from South Africa, Ireland and England.
The rally will commence on Friday at Woodlands Hotel in Nakuru through Baringo County before docking in Eldoret on day one – at Rupa Mall and Eka Hotel.
It will thereafter resume on Saturday and Sunday within Eldoret and Cherangany region.
