Blomqvist confident of retaining his title

By , November 28, 2019

Defending champion Stig Blomqvist, the 1984 World Rally champion, has sent a warning to his opponents as the East African Safari Rally Classic Rally begins proper in Mombasa today.

Bromqvist, 73, will be competing in a Team Tido Race4Health Porsche 911 and is confident of retaining the title come December 6, despite the high calibre of drivers on show. 

“It’s going to be tough because it has rained a lot in the region so everybody has come here to win. We have been winning and we will be looking forward to do that again,” Blomqvist told People Sport yesterday. 

This year’s edition is the third Safari Classic for Bromqvist’s co-driver, Jörgen Fornander, who previously partnered Joakim Roman in 2013 and 2015.

Since his last visit to Africa, Fornander has been highly active in the Swedish Rally Championship alongside Martin Hagman and Jari Saarinen.

Belgian Stephane Prevot, in car no3, guided Blomqvist to victory in the 2015 edition but will reunite with Oman Joey behind the wheel of a Nissan 240RS this time round. 

Italian debutants Eugenio Amos and Robert Mometti, driving a Porsche 911, expect a tough race owing to the fact that the drivers will traverse picturesque stages around Kenya and Tanzania.

Tough race

“We expect a tough race being first times. We know the competition is tough but we will do our best. We have the best cars and we will deliver good results,” said Eugenio at a media briefing in Mombasa yesterday.

Other first timers Philiph Kadoorie/Ryan Champion, also in Porsche 911, expressed fears about the ongoing rains that have continued to hit some parts of the coast region.

“It is rainy and we are expecting some difficulties because of the muddy roads. It’s our first time and we will give our best,” said Kadoorie.

The Kabras Sugar Racing, Tuthill Porsche and Team Tido are, by and large, the front-runners for the title jointly held by Carl ‘Flash’ Tundo of Kenya and Richard Jackson of Britain.

The Kabras line up for 2019 Safari Classic has a three-car Porsche 911 team comprising of Baldev Chager and the Rai siblings Tejveer and Onkar.

Tuthill Porsche has the likes of Italian Gilberto Sandretto and US duo of Renée Brinkerhoff and Joe Hayes. 

The Safari Classic, first run in 2003, is a nine-day rally covering up to 5,000 kilometres through Kenya and Tanzania. 

Day One begins at Sarova Whitesands Hotel in Mombasa, through Mackinon Road, Maungu, Kirumbi, Taita Gate Mwatate then spend the night at Wildlife Lodge in Taita Taveta.

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