Tundo keen on bringing the original classic back

Rally navigator Lynn Tundo is eager to return the old memories of the East African Safari Classic Rally (EASCR) after being appointed the Managing director by new owners Minti Motorsport UK.

It is reported that the previous owner, London-based Raju Kishnani who shared the ownership of EASCR with the late Jaideep Singh (JS) Vohra, lost interest in the event after the latter lost his life in a car accident during the 2017 event. Vohra, who was also the managing director of the Sarova Group of hotels, was heading to a spectator stage to watch the action when the tragic accident happened.

Minti Motorsport is a family-run company owned by Jeet Ghose, son of rally legend and former Kenya National Rally Championship (KNRC) contender and established Safari Rally driver Joey Ghose.

“Lynn comes from a family where rally is in the DNA. She was the first lady chairperson of a motor club in Kenya and has organized numerous successful rallies that embody the spirit of the Classic,” said Jeet.

First run in 2003, the legendary event is a nine-day rally covering up to 5,000 kilometers through Kenya. Safari Classic rekindles the spirit of the original Safari Rally, which put East Africa on the motorsport map and earned an unassailable reputation as the world's toughest rally.

“The intention is to bring back the classic, embracing old-fashioned rallying values of camaraderie and fairness. Our immediate goal is to attract as many entrants as possible. We have lowered the entry fee with the intent of making this rally as accessible as possible to all, and particularly encourage young teams to enter,” Lynn said after her appointment.

Plans for the 2021 rally include new routes across grueling terrain in Northern Kenya, taking the rally to Baringo, Laikipia, and Nakuru. The 'world’s greatest Classic Rally' will begin in Naivasha on November 1 and end in Mombasa on November 9, covering almost 5,000km of the most challenging roads in Kenya.

Lynn will work alongside Chantal Young and Tash Tundo who joined the management team as Client and Marketing managers respectively. The team says that this year’s event will be a rally run for the drivers, rally fans and sponsors.

“The rally will be tough and as challenging as only African landscapes can be, but at the same time fun, transparent and honest,” clerk of the course for the third Classic running, Raju Chagger said.

 Previous winners of the Classic include the late Björn Waldegård, Ian Duncan, Stig Blomqvist, Rob Collinge and Carl Tundo.