KENYA SAFARI RALLY 2009
The KCB Safari Rally was held on 3rd - 5th April 2009. In what was the greatest turned out rally in recent years, fans got to be up-close and personal with the automotive world's finest machines. With over 70 entrants in this year's Safari, the fans were up for some high octane performance driving from the teams as each sought the coveted "Safari Rally Winner's" trophy.
SPONSORSHIP
EAPCC officially "cemented" its position in rally sport by awarding the Kenya Motor Sports Foundation (KMSF) a sponsorship of Kenya Shillings five million. (Kshs. 5,000,000). This meant that EAPCC was a main co - sponsor for the rally. All the vehicles that were entered into the rally carried an East African Portland Cement Corporate Logo and this served as a great corporate identity symbol.
THE SAFARI
The Safari Rally was broken into three main stages i.e. the KICC spectator stage, the Elementaita competitive stage and the EAPCC Rally Grounds (Kunkur Quarry) spectator stage. The ardent rally fans turned out in multitudes to see some of the greatest drivers this side of the sahara display their prowess. It was a festival filled with high speed, late braking and loud explosive exhaust notes. For the fans present it could not have been any more thrilling as the turbo charged behemoths raced around the segments in pursuit of the fastest lap time.
All manner of cars turned up for the 2009 safari. Subaru's, Mitsubishi's, Volkswagen's, Toyota's, Nissan's and even Diahatsu's were entered. The battle royale was however between the age old rally enemies Subaru and Mitsubishi who both saw the latest variants of their rally car models (Subaru N 14 /Mitsubishi Evolution IX) compete.
The Mitsubishi EVO 9 entered by Horsey and Sassoon. |
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The Kamajokes Impreza N10 driven by Anwar Pandya and navigated by EAPCC's own George Mwangi |
THE EXPERIENCE
The 2009 Safari was a fantastic experience for all that were present. The exhilarating speed of the cars, acute braking, precise cornering and brutal acceleration all came together to provide a breath taking weekend. The EAPCC spectator stage provided the bulk of the thrill. The EAPCC rally grounds put fans right in the thick of things as they encountered rallying at its truest and purest form up close and personal. The fans who according to the KMSF had doubled in number from the ones present in last years event were loud and cheery as they urged their favorite teams to victory. The hot weather did little to discourage the fans as they braved the weather and watched the event from start to finish.
In the end, Carl "the flash" Tundo emerged victorious in his Mitsubishi Evo 9 ahead of Zimbabwe's Jamie Whyte in a Subaru Impreza N10 and Alistair Cavenaugh in a Mitsubishi Evo 9.
THE TRAUMA
The 2009 safari was also a traumatizing experience for some of the teams as it kept its international reputation for being the most difficult and atrocious rally in the world.
Most notable in the list of casualties was rally ace Ian Duncan in his custom tuned Nissan Patrol 4x4 pickup that suffered clutch failure at the KICC stage much to the disbelief of all the fans present who had turned up to cheer him and his 4x4 monstrosity, others who suffered were the famous "rally chicks" Meagan and Lola Verlaque in their Volkswagen Polo S 2000 and the Savage brothers in their Volkswagen Golf GTI, both teams suffering broken suspensions.
EAPCC's CONTRIBUTION
Apart from being co sponsors of the 2009 Safari rally, EAPCC played a great role in the overall promotion of the event. The EAPCC Chairman, Mr. Mark ole Karbolo and the Managing Director, Eng. John Nyambok both graced the event with their presence. The dynamic duo flagged off cars from KICC and were amongst the spectators at the various competitive stages of the rally.
In the end the Managing Director took part in the award ceremony that brought three days of rallying to an end.
EAPCC Managing Director Eng. John Nyambok awards a trophy to Uganda's Emmanuel Kato at the end of the 2009 Safari Rally |
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Hands Up - EAPCC Managing Director Eng. John Nyambok congratulates George Mwangi after the rally. |
EAPCC's SON
EAPCC was also proud to have one of its own sons take part in the rally. George Mwangi who is part of the Supply Chain department was the navigator for Anwar Pandya. The team who have just returned from the KCB Eldoret rally where they were placed 6th overall put up a spirited fight but suffered a puncture on Sunday which led to them losing 11 positions. Thus, completing the rally in 19th. Had it not been for the puncture our very own George and his driver would have placed in the top ten.
George is recognized as the most successful local navigator in Kenya at present, being the first indigenous Kenyan navigator to win the Safari Rally since its inception 57 years ago. George lifted the coveted trophy with Azar Anwar in 2006 where he navigated the Mitsubishi Evolution 6 rally car to victory.
We congratulate George Mwangi for his fantastic performance in rally sport. We wish him all the best in all future rallies.
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