Four-time Kenya National Rally Championships (KNRC) winner Baldev ‘Boldy’ Chager clocked 5:04:58.8 to take command of the standings at the end of Day 2 at the East African Safari Classic Rally action in Nanyuki on February 11.
The 46-year-old rally driver strongly believes the vintage car he assembled in his garage will deliver victory come February 18.
Coming second was former world youth champion Sweden’s Patrik Sandell as day 1 leader Ken block finished third.
Also Read: Story of Two Adventurous Cousins Who Started the East African Safari Rally
On day one, Africa and Kenya's championships winner Carl ‘Flash’ Tundo retired following a puncture and mechanical issues at the Ol Kalou-Nderagwa stretch.
Chager has a hard task ahead of him if he is to win as he will have to edging out a star-studded field involving top seeds like defending champion Kris Rosenberger of Austria.
The 2019 WRC Candidate Rally champion said he has prepared mentally and physically for the contest.
Chager has taken part in four EASCR events with his best finish being third in 2017, but he will be hoping for glory this year.
Also Read: Favourite Sports for Kenyan Billionaires
Day three action will cover 400km which includes Stage 7 (Moguni-Il Polei), Stage 8 (Dol Dol- Ewaso) and Stage 9 (Loldaiga-Golf Gate).
The East Africa Safari Classic Rally is a nine-day rally where drivers cover up to 5,000km across different counties in Kenya.
The Safari Classic puts East Africa on the motorsport map and has earned a reputation of being the world’s toughest rally.
In 2021,after a 19 year hiatus Kenya welcomed back the World Rally Championship (WRC) which will take place for the next five years.
Also Read: Meet Ksh22 Billion Rich Driver Set to Grace East Africa Safari Classic Rally