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Silverstone in Safari Classic Rally
Silverstone Competition Tyres has once again provided tyres and assistance to over one third of the entire
field entered into the Bi-Annual East African event. Following on from it’s successes in the 2003 and 2005
East African Safari Classic Rally, Silverstone received confirmed orders and even payment for their forest
rally tyres prior to March 2007, 7 months before the start of the event!
The 2007 Classic event would be starting at the White Sands Resort in Mombassa competing in various
stages through Nairobi, Lake Navasha, Amboseli National Park, Taita Hills, Arusha (Tanzania) and back to
the White Sands Resort in Mombassa. Over 1400 Km of competitive stages held over 8 days through some
of the most challenging stages in the World.
This years event would be a much different story from 2003 and 2005, with no local Kenyan hero Rob
Collinge driving his Datsun 260Z, flat out over the Kenyan rough and treacherous dusty roads. However in
the Group 2 Class, three well prepared Datsun 180Bs would prove there might over this enduring event.
Roddy Sachs, the Kenyan born Johannesburg resident, would be driving one of these formidable machines
alongside his Navigator Peter Young. Having never driven on Silverstone rubber before, Roddy was very
impressed with the performance he got out of the small 14” S505s. By day 2, Roddy was up to 11th place
overall and was ecstatic.. “Great little tyres, couldn’t ask for more”. His teammate Wayne Kieswetter was
also impressed and was also up the leader board finishing in 21st place on day 2.
Other local driver Jonathan Savage was also doing very well in his 260Z (pictured below). He was running
in the top ten after day 3 until he rolled on day 7 after a navigational error damaging his car extensively.
Determination and a lot of spirit from his service crew got him back out to compete on the final day putting
him back to 25th position.
Other Silverstone runners were not so lucky as Savage; Stefano Rocca driving the Ex-Collinge 260Z rolled
on the first section of day 3 damaging the roll-cage and being forced to retire. He was at that point the highest
local driver. “I made a mistake," said Rocca. "I was going too fast in the dust and hit a rock. It was one
slow roll but it was enough. I should have slowed down but it's so difficult when you're racing."
Roddy had an almost trouble free event until day 6. The Datsun 180B arrived at Taita Hills Lodge with a
smashed windscreen. "We had a great day rallying until the last transport section when we hit a water buck
which was a really sad end to the day." The crews managed to fix the damage during the overnight service
and he had no problems continuing the next day.
Roddy continued to push the 180B through the Tanzanian stages and back to Mombassa by finishing in 7th
overall, just behind the infamous Stig Blomqvist driving an Escort Mk 1. Roddys teammate Wayne Kieswetter
also had an impressive rally and finished 23 minutes behind Roddy in 8th position. “No problems.
We could do it all again. Well the car could do it all again. Really enjoyed it and we're serious about doing
the rally again."
With servicing over 20 vehicle’s tyres, the Silverstone crew had a long, enjoyable and successful event. We
are hoping to be back once again providing tyres and support to the crews in Kenya in 2009.
For more information on the East African Safari Classic Rally please visit: www.eastafricanrally.com
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