It is the Safari; even though a break-neck speed driving affair in the modern era of short stages, the old adage of traditional long-haul Safari applies, cool, steady, patient driving pays.
That could have given “Flying Sikh”, Baldev Chagere Singh, victory at this year’s World Rally Championships(WRC) Safari on Sunday.
Hot favourites Carl “Flash” Tundo, speed master Manvir Baryan and Onkar Rai all looked headed for victory but Chager, previously winner of only one stage in the 2019 Safari, an African Rally Championship (ARC) round, tracked them to come out top “at the death” and at Kedong’ in Naivasha 40 kilometers from Nairobi.
It was “Boldy’s” third Safari win, following the head-to-head of 2013 and 2014.
Marvin Baryan held a 35 second lead most of the final stage before stopping with mechanical failure, was passed by two cars before resuming and it was too late. Baryan had in turn overthrown the overnight lead of Carl Tundo.
Baldev Chager clocked 02:44:50 in the event navigated by Ravi Soni in a Evo X 10 followed by Carl flash Tundo and Manvir Baryan who scooped the second and third position respectively.
Ian Duncan finished 4th followed by Zambian Duo of Leroy Gomes and Jassy Singh.
Because of his huge stall, Baryan ended up classified sixth and Chager reveled at his Safari victory.
Chager now goes into the annals of Kenya history where the performance of Sikh drivers is admired led by the legendary Joginder Singh pioneer winner of the Safari in 1965 and in ’74 and ’76.
The Safari is bidding to return on the calendar of the World Rally Championship (WRC), the caliber of which Joginder competed and Kenyans will be looking forward to how Chager will fair if Safari returns to the WRC.
Chager and his co-driver Ravi Soni literally “nursed’ their Mitsubishi Lancer Evo10 out trouble to romp home to a thrillingly famous victory; binding their time to benefit from Baryan’s misfortune in the last remaining few kilometers of the rally.
“I am overjoyed to win. It was a tough battle. One of the most tense and tough event in my rallying career. Make no mistake, I was in this to fight for the outright win,” he said.
Thus, Baryan stays yet to win his Kenyan event despite a big success in the rest of rallies across Africa (ARC). He was disappointed after checking at the final control in the third position.
“That stage was pathetic and should not have been allowed. Our car sucked in lots of dust until the radiator was blocked. The temperature gauge was reading 130 degrees. We lost over six minutes to clean it by then two cars had overtaken us. No happy at all.”
Carl Tundo who missed out on his record of five victories in the Safari Rally, finished in the second place driving a Mitsubishi Lancer with Tim Jessop.
He said they were lucky despite several mishaps, which included losing 20 seconds in the final service.
Kenya is optimistic that by hosting this year’s event, it will re-enter the WRC series next year. The Safari Rally was struck out of the global circuit in 2002 due to a combination of safety and sponsorship concerns.
WRC Promoter Olivier Ciesla was delighted with Kenya’s progress towards hosting the candidate event.
“Kenya has shown total commitment towards staging this event, we will make the process for announcing our decision swiftly to the country, we are pleased with all the safety measures the country has put into place” said Oliver.
The WRC candidate event attracted 49 elite drivers from across Africa who covered over 796 kilometres in three days.
Some of the top drivers who enlisted this year’s event hailed from Italy, Belgium, UK Zambia, Uganda, Tanzania and Kenya.
JK/abj/APA