Junior WRC champion, Sandell, adds to EA Safari Classic thrill

Patrik Sandell, a former Junior World Rally Champion and former Subaru Motorsports driver, will be competing in the East Africa Safari Classic Rally . 

Sandell who has had an illustrious professional career, winning the Junior World Rally Championship in 2006 will drive a Tuthill Porsche 911. 

He has competed in over 40 WRC rallies but during the last eight years he has focused mainly on rally cross in America where he has been very successful, with multiple medals in the X Games and Nitro World Games.

"I have been following Tuthill Porsche and the Classic Safari Rally for the last eight years and it has been on my list of things I would like to do in life from the very first time I heard about the event." 

“I know this challenge will be something else, but I hope that all the experience I have collected from all over the world of rallying will help us in this event. I strongly believe we have the speed to win this rally, but it is less about speed and more about driving smart. So my navigator and I will set a plan and stick to it throughout the whole event," offered Sandell. 

His co-driver, Henrik Bolindersaid says this is a once in a lifetime dream and opportunity to do Safari and doing it with an experienced team and Patrik as a driver will be great. "I am confident we will be able to fight for the podium," said Bolindersaid.

Richard Tuthill of Tuthill Porsche says they are delighted to have Sandell who is a long term friend of the company joining the team to take on the EASCR in 2021.

"We know his years of experience will put him right in contention for the outright win," said Richard. 

EASCR Managing Director, Lynn Tundo, opines that Sandell's confirmation of participation shows just how competitive the 2021 Classic is going to be.

"This is great news, for us as the management team but, more importantly for the fans both here in Kenya and internationally," said Tundo.