East African Safari Rally 2005

[Z-point]

Yes!!! we are back on track............

WALDEGÃ…RD v KANKKUNEN - THE RE-MATCH!

Safari legends and former team-mates set for East African showdown… 20 years on

Rally legend and 1979 World Rally Champion Björn Waldegård will take a step back in time when he returns to the wheel of a Porsche 911 and lines up against former team-mate and four-times World Rally Champion Juha Kankkunen for the 2005 East African Safari Rally.

Back in 1969 the Swedish unknown newcomer shocked the establishment when he won the famous Rallye Monte Carlo in a 911S. In a career spanning 23 years, Waldegård claimed a further 15 victories at World Championship level, including four wins in the legendary Safari Rally. Kankkunen is also a veteran contender, the Finn contesting 12 Safaris and taking wins in what was universally regarded as the toughest World Championship event in 1985, 1991 and 1993.

As former Toyota team-mates back in the mid-‘80s, Waldegård and Kankkunen enjoyed friendly rivalry, but the Scandinavian duo will now be battling against one another in Porsche and Datsun machinery, rekindling that rivalry in an event that formed such a large part of their lives.

“Juha came to the Safari when I was already established; he was just a youngster!” said Björn. “In his first Safari test I sat beside him to teach him how to drive the event. For the first few kilometres I was terrified; he thought he was doing the 1000 Lakes! I then drove him for the next 10 kilometres to show him how I drive these roads, and he then went on to beat me in the rally! It will be good fun to be with him again.

“I am doing the rally for absolute pleasure; if we get a good result that’s great, but otherwise it will just be a fantastic 10 days. When you get the helmet on winning is the goal, but it’s not the end of the world if you don’t win. But to beat Juha would certainly be nice..!”

Waldegård’s Bosch-supported Porsche 911 Carrera Coupe - owned and to be co-driven by David Cavanagh - was originally built in 1977 by the Porsche competition department for the London-Sydney Marathon. Extensively rallied in Australia, the car appeared in the UK in 2000 where it has been brought up to current rally specification by James Avis and Carrera Performance of Sussex. In 2004, Australian-born Cavanagh bought the car and contested the 20,000 kilometre London-Sydney Marathon, where he finished first in class. For the 2005 East African Safari Rally, the Porsche 911 will run in the striking Martini livery of the late 1970s.

Following the celebrated running of its 50th anniversary in 2003, the East African Safari Rally returns in 2005 and the event will run from 1-10 December. The world’s greatest classic car rally will cover a marathon 4,200 kilometres over nine days and once again take the crews through the remote and beautiful landscapes of Kenya and Tanzania. The East African Safari Rally commemorates the original Coronation Safari, a unique event run by enthusiasts to celebrate the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth in 1953. In 1960 the event was renamed the East African Safari Rally, running annually until 1972, and, in keeping with the sense of history, only cars produced before 31 December 1974 (or the exact same car if built before 1978) are eligible to compete.

The event, which has been scheduled outside the international rally calendar and during one of the most beautiful months in East Africa, promises to be one of the greatest classic car rallies of the modern era.

The event is sponsored by Minilite Wheels, WEC Lines and SDV Transami.

http://www.eastafricansafarirally.com

[Z-point]

http://www.eastafricansafarirally.com/info_pages/entrylist.html with seven Z's present!!

No Driver Co Driver Car Nationality

1 Rob Collinge Anton Levitan Datsun 260Z EAK / EAK

2 Ian Duncan Salim Hajee Ford Escort RS EAK / EAK

3 Juha Kankkunen Juha Repo Datsun 240Z FIN / FIN

4 Stig Blomqvist Ana Goni Ford Escort RS S / YV

5 Bjorn Waldegaard David Cavanagh Porsche 911 S / RI

6 Frederic Dor Paul Haworth Porsche 911 CH / GB

7 Gerard Marcy Alain Lopes Ford Escort RS B / B

8 Richard Martin Hurst Tony Devantier Ford Capri Perana GB / NZ

9 Iain Freestone Rod MacLean Ford Escort RS GB / GB

10 Andrew Barnes Calvin Cooledge Porsche 911 GB / GB

11 John Lloyd Paul Amandini Porsche 911 GB / GB

12 Simon Glover Russ Langthorne Ford Escort GB / GB

14 Alexander Hack David Lawrence Brown Ford Escort GB / EAK

15 Anthony Ward Ieuan Thomas Ford Escort GB / GB

16 David Kedward Crispin Sassoon Ford Escort GB / EAK

17 Jayant Shah Lofty Drews Datsun 260Z EAT / Aus

18 James Ingleby Mike Bowen Rover GB / EAK

19 Marzio Kravos Renzo Bernardi Mercedes 450 SLC EAK / EAK

20 Josef Pointinger Peter Hall Ford Escort A / GB

21 Graham Alexander David Stewart Datsun 260Z AUS / AUS

22 David Hills David Callaghan Ford Escort AUS / AUS

23 Jurgen Bertl Jiri Kotek Porsche 911 D / CZ

24 Richard Gower Carl Williamson Ford Escort GB / GB

25 Paul Eric Jarry Craig Redelinghuis Porsche 911 F / ZA

26 Gaby Gaudezeune Filip de Pelsemaeker Opel Manta B / B

27 Albert Michels Patrick de Coninck Porsche 911 B / B

28 Marc Devis Dan Erculisse Porsche 911 B / B

29 Jean Michel Martin Jean Francois Chaumont Porsche 911 B / B

30 Roddy Sachs Clive Gardiner Alfa Romeo 2000 ZA / ZA

31 Bo Axelsson Eugen Damstedt Volvo 142S S / FIN

32 Minesh Rathod Sachin Sumaria Colt Lancer EAK / EAK

33 Simon Sharpe Denis Burnett BMW 2002 EAK / EAK

34 Alastair Caldwell Catriona Rings Mercedes 220 SE GB / GB

35 Hardev Singh Sira Manjeet Singh Degun Peugeot 504 Coupe GB / GB

36 Timothy Mammen Jaspal Matharu Datsun 1600SSS GB/EAK

37 Aslam Khan Arshad Khan Datsun 180B EAK / EAK

38 John Hills Michael Tuckey Ford Escort AUS / AUS

39 Imtiaz Dewji Iqbal Singh Sagoo Datsun 240Z GB / GB

40 Steve Coad Rachel Coad Holden Torana GTR AUS / AUS

41 Grant Stephenson Thomas Wright Mercedes 280SE EAK / EAK

42 Uwe Kurzenberger Gabriele Mahler Datsun 1600 SSS D / D

43 Gunther Kronseder Gerd Petzold Opel Manta D / D

44 Larry Horn Rob Barbour Datsun 260Z EAT / EAT

45 Soren Kjaer Mads Kjaer Porsche 911 DK / DK

46 Jonathan Savage Quenten Savage Datsun 260Z EAK / EAK

47 Paul Kane Mary Ellen Kane Ford 350 Mustang GT GB / GB

48 Robert Kaugi William Mburu Datsun 1600SSS EAK / EAK

49 Peter Stoehr Josef Schoelderle Datsun 1600SSS D / D

[Z-point]

Stig Blomqvist claims lead after opening leg of East African Safari Rally

1984 World Rally Champion Stig Blomqvist, co-driven by Venezuelan Ana Goni, has taken the early lead in the 2005 East African Safari Rally, one of the world's most historic events. Hot on his heels is the winner of the 2003 event Rob Collinge, while London city insurance broker John Lloyd holds third position after five competitive sections in this marathon event that takes in more than 1,600 kilometres of competition.

The East African Safari Rally - first held in 1953 - started yesterday afternoon when the 46 registered crews crossed the ramp beneath the famous elephant tusks on Moi Avenue in Mombasa. This morning, however, the action took off in earnest as the crews left Mombasa for the opening five sections and 263.25 competitive kilometres in a total distance of 537.52 kilometres. An early morning start saw the crews head directly south, immediately leaving Kenya for Tanzania where the day's action was centred, before the overnight halt in Dar es Salaam. Searing temperatures typically characterised the day as the crews powered over fast and flowing stages.

Blomqvist, who finished third on the Safari Rally in 1989 in a VW Golf, has taken the early lead in a Historic Motorsport-run Ford Escort RS1600. The Swede won just one of today's competitive sections (CS4), but was never outside the top three during the day. He takes the overnight lead by just over two minutes. "It's been a good day for us, no dramas at all and it's great to be leading at this early stage," he said.

Rob Collinge, who won the 50th anniversary event in 2003, takes second position in a Datsun 260Z after claiming two section victories (CS3 and CS5). Collinge suffered a puncture in the opening section but has fought back after losing time. John Lloyd, who was also one of the leading contenders in the 2003 East African Safari Rally before dramatically crashing his Escort, holds third in a Tuthill Porsche 911. "I'm gob-smacked!" said Lloyd. "It's extra-ordinary, but to be honest Kankkunen and Duncan are quicker but just need to get some time back. We've had an unblemished day, but it was very fast everywhere."

Behind the leading trio, French businessman Frederic Dor - this year co-driven by Paul Howarth, Team Manager of the Subaru World Rally Team - holds fourth position in another Tuthill Porsche, while Belgium's Gerard Marcy - who led the event after the second leg in 2003 - holds fifth. Australian, Graham Alexander, in another Datsun 260Z, rounds off the top six.

Some of the leading crews hit problems early in the day. Four times FIA World Rally Champion Juha Kankkunen suffered with fuel pump problems in the first three stages and despite changing the component before the start of CS4, the three time Safari Rally winner dropped 45 minutes and overnights in 34th position. Björn Waldegård, another veteran of the Safari Rally who also has three wins under his belt, lost time with an engine problem and overnights in 11th. Ian Duncan, who won the Safari when it was a round of the FIA World Rally Championship in 1994, suffered with electrical problems in the opening section and he holds 15th overnight, despite winning a section (CS2).

Casualties of the day include Andrew Barnes, who finished fourth in the 2003 East African Safari Rally. The Porsche 911 driver dramatically rolled in CS2 and was forced to retire. Both he and co-driver Calvin Cooledge were shaken but uninjured. Alexander Hack also went off in exactly the same place, he and David Lawrence-Brown also escaping injury after setting fastest time in the opening section in their Ford Escort.

The second day of the East African Safari Rally keeps the crews in Tanzania for another five competitive sections over 286.22 competitive kilometres - the longest leg of the event. The route takes the crews north from Dar es Salaam, initially into the Pugu Hills, before heading to the infamous Usumbara Mountains, where there is an average of one corner per 75 metres. Crews then overnight in the Ngurdoto Mountain Lodge, 20 kilometres before Arusha and in the foothills of the snow-topped Mount Kilimanjaro.

[Z-point]

Former winner, Rob Collinge, closes gap in East African Safari Rally

After a day of close-fought competition, former World Rally Champion Stig Blomqvist has held on to his early lead in the 2005 East African Safari Rally. However, the Swede has had a fierce battle with the winner of the 2003 event, Rob Collinge, who has closed the gap to just 31 seconds after 10 competitive sections. Third position is now held by Frederic Dor, the Frenchman moving ahead of John Lloyd during the second day of competition.

The second leg of the East African Safari Rally kept the field of competitors in Tanzania for another five competitive sections over 286.22 competitive kilometres. It was the longest leg of the event and saw the crews on the road for nearly 12 hours as they covered a total distance of 769.84 kilometres. Early this morning, the route took the crews north from Dar es Salaam, initially into the Pugu Hills, before heading to the infamous Usumbara Mountains, where there is an average of one corner per 75 metres in a legendary Safari stage. Crews then arrived for the overnight halt at the Ngurdoto Mountain Lodge, 20 kilometres before Arusha and in the foothills of the snow-topped Mount Kilimanjaro.

1984 World Rally Champion Stig Blomqvist, co-driven by Venezuelan Ana Goni, maintained a hot pace again today in the Historic Motorsport-prepared Ford Escort. He was however in the thick of a fierce battle and while he was second in all but one stage, the Swede has lost the majority of his initial advantage.

"Today's been another good day with no problems," said the Blomqvist, who last competed in the Safari Rally in 2001 in Group N machinery. "The car's running very well and I'm enjoying it a lot, especially as it's been cooler today."

Rob Collinge, driving a Datsun 260Z, maintains second position, but with four competitive section victories today, has closed the gap to Blomqvist to just 31 seconds. "We lost fourth gear just two kilometres into the first section this morning, so we've been a bit handicapped all day," he said. "But the stages have been twistier and slower today, so okay we've managed reasonably well. You can't stick your neck out too much when you've lost a gear though, but we've taken time out of Stig everywhere."

Frederic Dor has climbed from fourth to third overnight, the French businessman having some suspension problems in the Tuthill-prepared Porsche 911. "My only real problem today was drinking too much water before the start of CS9 and we had to slow down because I felt ill," said Frederic at the overnight halt. "Otherwise, things have been fine and the car's running well."

John Lloyd, a leading contender in the 2003 event, slipped to fourth during the second leg, seemingly just unable to get into a good rhythm. "It's been a terrible day, I was driving like an idiot this morning!" he said.

Belgian Gerard Marcy maintains fifth position overnight in the leading Ford Escort, despite suffering two punctures in the second section, while Australian Graham Alexander (Datsun 260Z) holds sixth.

Björn Waldegård, a veteran of the Safari Rally who has three wins under his belt, has climbed up the order from 11th to seventh, while former Toyota team-mate Juha Kankkunen - who last contested the Safari in 2002 - has rocketed from an overnight 34th to 19th. Ian Duncan, who won the Safari Rally when it was a round of the FIA World Rally Championship in 1994, has however suffered disappointment. The Kenyan Escort driver went off the road in the final section of the day and looks set to be forced into retirement.

Sunday's third leg takes in four competitive sections over 202.48 kilometres. The route takes the crews north for one final section in Tanzania, on the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro, before crossing the border back into Kenya for the longest test of the event, the 105.12 kilometre run from Namanga to Kibini. After a further two sections, the crews arrive in Nairobi for the overnight halt in the capital city.

Leaderboard after Leg 2

1. Stig Blomqvist/Ana Goni Ford Escort RS1600 4hr 51min 22sec

2. Rob Collinge/Anton Levitan Datsun 260Z 4hr 51min 53sec

3. Frederic Dor/Paul Howarth Porsche 911 5hr 01min 37sec

4. John Lloyd/Paul Amandini Porsche 911 5hr 04min 35sec

5. Gerard Marcy/Alain Lopes Ford Escort RS 5hr 12min 32sec

6. Graham Alexander/David Stewart Datsun 260Z 5hr 15min 12sec

7. Bjorn Waldegard/David Cavanagh Porsche 911 5hr 20min 16sec

8. James Ingleby/Mike Bowen Rover 5hr 31min 31sec

9. Jurgen Bertl/Jiri Kotek Porsche 911 5hr 33min 48sec

10. Anthony Ward/Ievan Thomas Ford Escort 5hr 38min 39sec

[gogriz91]

Great pictures at

http://82.165.32.230/mcklein4/index.php?index=12&idb_cmd=show_collection&idb_collection_id=1551&idb_page=1#

[Z-point]

Blomqvist drops to fourth in East African Safari Rally

The all-Kenyan crew of Rob Collinge and Anton Levitan have claimed the lead in the East African Safari Rally after the third leg of this legendary event. The Datsun 260Z driver has had a virtually trouble-free run and has nearly 16 minutes in hand to second-placed Gerard Marcy. John Lloyd, who started fourth overnight, has climbed back into third in the Tuthill-prepared Porsche 911. Stig Blomqvist, who led for the opening two legs, has dropped back to fourth after problems in the first section of the day.

Late last night, the organisers took the decision to cancel CS8, where a number of crews got lost due to possible inconsistencies in the road book. Today, however, the third leg took in four competitive sections over 202.48 kilometres. The route took the crews north from Arusha for one final section in Tanzania, on the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro, before crossing the border back into Kenya for the longest test of the event, the 105.12 kilometre run from Namanga to Kibini (CS12). After a further two sections, the crews arrived in Nairobi for the overnight halt on the outskirts of the capital city.

Collinge started the day in second position and won the opening section in Tanzania, where tough navigation over desert-like terrain saw a number of crews lost in the maze of tracks. Despite briefly losing their way, the Kenyan then benefited when Blomqvist lost time and the winner of the 2003 East African Safari Rally cruised into the lead.

"There were a lot of tracks in the opening section and we got a bit lost," said Collinge. "The day was then trouble-free until we hit a big rock in CS13, punctured and lost all the tread from the right rear tyre."

Gerard Marcy has climbed into second position in the leading Ford Escort. He and co-driver Alain Lopes have had an incident-free day and hold a healthy advantage going into the fourth leg. "We've had no problems all day; it's been a holiday so far and we're very happy," said Marcy.

John Lloyd regains third position in his Porsche 911, the Briton delighted with his overnight position. "The first section (CS11) was like an orienteering course! We've bent a few wheels but otherwise the day's been good. As Paul (navigator) said to me, 'when was the last time you started a special stage with Stig Blomqvist, Björn Waldegård and Juha Kankkunen behind you!'"

1984 World Rally Champion Stig Blomqvist has had a frustrating day in the Historic Motorsport Escort. "I thought we had a puncture in CS11 but in fact it was a broken rim," said fourth-placed Blomqvist. "We stopped to change it and the jack broke so it took a long time to change the wheel with spectators helping us. Then we got stuck in sand in a dry riverbed and lost around 25 minutes in the section. Not a great day," added the Swede, who then went on to set joint fastest time, with Kankkunen, in CS12.

Fifth position is held by Frenchman Frederic Dor, who also got lost in the opening section but went on to win CS14. "We got a bit lost and then broke a wheel," he said. "There were cars circling everywhere trying to find the right track and we got lost in the dust. The first part of CS12 was very tough on the suspension and it was flat-out for 40 kilometres; otherwise a good day for us."

Rounding off the top six is Iain Freestone in a Ford Escort. "We've been taking it steady as the car's falling apart! The track rod ends keep knocking out."

The other two former World Rally Champions and Safari Rally veterans competing in the event have however had a good day. Björn Waldegård showed his experience in the opening section (CS11), finishing second behind Collinge on what he regarded as the perfect Safari stage, and was then joint third in CS13, alongside Blomqvist. He and co-driver David Cavanagh overnight in seventh. Juha Kankkunen has been flying today in the Datsun 240Z, the Finn finishing third in CS11, winning CS12 and CS13, and claiming second in the final section of the leg. He and Juha Repo hold 14th position going into the fourth day of competition.

Monday (Leg 4) sees the crews head north of Nairobi and into the famed Masai Mara for another four competitive sections and 175.38 competitive kilometres. The route heads out towards Nakuru and the Delamere Estates for the first section of the day before heading to Narok and the Mara plain, awash with spectacular game. The crews then overnight in the Mara Simba Lodge after driving a total of 504.65 kilometres.

Leaderboard after Leg 3

1. Rob Collinge/Anton Levitan Datsun 260Z 6hr 30min 49sec

2. Gerard Marcy/Alain Lopes Ford Escort RS 6hr 46min 11sec

3. John Lloyd/Paul Amandini Porsche 911 6hr 51min 48sec

4. Stig Blomqvist/Ana Goni Ford Escort RS1600 6hr 55min 09sec

5. Frederic Dor/Paul Howarth Porsche 911 6hr 58min 16sec

6. Iain Freestone/Preston Ayres Ford Escort 7hr 02min 42sec

7. Björn Waldegård/David Cavanagh Porsche 911 7hr 03min 25sec

8. Simon Glover/Russ Langthorne Ford Escort 7hr 11min 22sec

9. Graham Alexander/David Stewart Datsun 260Z 7hr 11min 50sec

10. Anthony Ward/Ievan Thomas Ford Escort 7hr 17min 28sec

[Z-point]

EAS images

[26th-Z]

I'm lovin this! Thanks Guus!

[Z-point]

Thanks Chris, I'm having this for breakfast as well

According their website two Datsun's are out.

Datsun 240Z no45. Larry Horn / Rob Barbour (EAT/EAT)

Datsun 1600SSS no49. Peter Stoehr / Josef Schoelderle (D/D)

[260DET]

That Collinge/Levitan Z may be the Aussie prepared one, done in a workshop not far from me. Have to check that out. Anyway, go the Z cars, wherever they are from

[Zedrally]

Graham Alexander/David Stewart Datsun 260Z 7hr 11min 50sec

is an ozzie team, not sure about the others....

[trs]

I know stewart wilkins motorsport prepared the 2003 winning Z, and he was working very hard on another Z for this year just a few months ago.

Not sure if its the same driver however.

Everything on the car that I saw was built tonka tough. mmm.. proflex