After two years, the 65th edition of Safari Rally marked its return to the Africa Rally Championship series.
And just like before; the cars, crews, competition and everything that goes with the Safari adventure were exceptional.
Kawowo Sports brings you the talking points from the second round of the African rally championship
The ARC Contenders
The Safari rally welcomed a bigger number of ARC contenders than ever before. A total number of seventeen crews; Uganda (5), Zambia (4) and Burundi (2) and the hosts Kenya (6) were in search for the ARC points.
Only those that finished among the top ten would score ARC points and only three managed to complete within the points scoring positions; Carl Tundo, Jaspreet Chatthe and Manvir Baryan.
Safari Rally stages and recce
Safari was run on two competitive days instead of three. But to further prove that it is the toughest rally, the stages had all that calls for endurance from the competitors. The stages where characterized by rough, tight, smooth and dusty twists.
However, one stage; Suswa was cancelled by the organizers because of its unpredictable nature.
Don Smith Factor
The reigning ARC champions Don Smith and Bob Kaugi put the organizers under the spotlight for being inconsiderate while making the final start order.
The crew was placed car number thirty three (33) which was against the ARC regulations. Rules required that the ARC champion and ARC crews are considered first in the start order.
Smith’s dissatisfaction with the start order forced him out of the event.
Ten Minutes Penalty
Eight crews were handed a ten minute penalty following a review of tracking data of stage five. The crews had deviated from the route.
Those affected included; Jaspreet Chatthe, Baldev Charger, Manvir Baryan, Asad Khan Uganda’s Duncan Mubiru, Hassan Alwi, Yasin Nasser and Christakis Fitidis.
This took away the little hope of a Safari win for Chatthe who was neck and neck with eventual winner Tapio Laukannen.
The Competition
The Safari Rally was determined in the last stage. But the competition over the two days was note worthy.
The eight stages were shared among Tapio Laukannen who won four stages, Jaspreet Chatthe topped two while Ian Duncan and Onkar Rai all won one stage each.
The Winners
Tapio Laukkanen claimed a maiden Safari win in rather dramatic fashion. Despite losing his way in Stage six, the Finn’s pace in the ultimate stage was enough for him to pull off the win.
Ian Duncan settled for second while Carl Tundo survived a late scare to finish third. Onkar Rai took fourth followed by Karan Patel in fifth.
Uganda Rally Fans
There is no disputing the fact that Ugandan rally fans could be the best on the continent.
A horde of Ugandan fans crossed the border to support their own.
At the Jamhuri spectator stage, Ugandan flags where seen in several corners of the circuit. The fans further entered deep in the stages to catch the action as they cheered the crews. The fans left the Kenya rally fraternity desiring the passion from the Uganda fans.
The next ARC round is scheduled for April 28-30th in South Africa.