Baldev Chager resisted a stiff challenge to clinch the 2024 Mini East African Safari Classic Rally, driving a Porsche 911 with Kavit Dave as his navigator.

Chager was fastest in five out of the eight competitive stages over the three days of rallying.

Ian Duncan and Jaspal Matharu finished in second place, driving a Datsun 280Z. A similar car, driven by Robert Calder and Gavin Laurence, secured third place overall.

The ALS team of Farhaaz Khan and Tauseef Khan placed sixth in a Ford Escort, while their teammates Aslam Khan and Faisal Khan finished in 10th position, driving a Porsche 911.

The East African Safari Classic Rally is an internationally renowned event that attracts competitors from across the globe.

The rules governing the Mini Classic Rally differ somewhat from those in the Kenya National Rally Championship events.

The event only allows cars manufactured before 1985, which must be front- or rear-wheel-drive with normally aspirated engines.
Examples of such cars include Porsches, Ford Escorts, Opel Kadets, and Datsuns, among others.

Drivers were required to complete three stages per day, with the longest stages occurring on day 1 and day 2, each approximately 100km long. ‘

The longest stage on day 3 was around 70km.

The rally covered a total distance of approximately 1,005km, with the competitive stages covering about 550km, retracing many classic roads in the Cherangani Hills and Kerio Valley.

The competitive stages consisted of unsurfaced roads, which were ‘open’ to general traffic and drivers were advised to exercise the greatest care.

The event was divided into a maximum of three stages per day.

Poor weather forced the organizers to cancel several stages, resulting in a shorter version of the original plans.

On the final day, three more stages were completed, starting with HZ/Kibargoi (49.79km), followed by Anin Nyasaland/Chebiemit (31.25km) and concluding with Uswa/Moi Ben (60.90km).