Amos keeps flawless run going as Chager jumps to second in Day Four of East African Safari Classic Rally

Italian driver Eugenio Amos maintained his flawless performance on Day Four of the East African Safari Classic Rally after successfully navigating through the day’s demanding two stages to open up a comfortable overnight lead clocking provisionally seven hours, 14 minutes and 39 seconds.

In a day that was marked by the cancellation of the second stage, Nijale to Oltepesei, due to safety concerns, defending champion Kenya’s Baldev Chager continued his impeccable drive, securing second spot behind Amos by more than 18 minutes.

Emile Breittmayer from Belgium ended the day second Chager while day four winner Kris Rosenberger, the 2019 Classic Rally winner, finished in third place, rounding up the top three finishers.

Amos, in his Porsche 911 nicknamed the "Italian Giraffe," expressed confidence and shared his perspective on the ongoing rally saying: "To be honest, we are not feeling much pressure. We are taking it easy. We haven't even reached the halfway point, so there's plenty left. If we've survived until now, it will be easier moving forward. The plan now is to manage it all a little bit."

Navigated by Paolo Ceci, Amos opened the day's timesheet, finishing eighth on the first stage and coming close to winning the second stage.

He eventually settled for second place, with a 15-minute and six seconds difference.

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2019 winner Rosenberger expressed his enjoyment of the pace but highlighted tire challenges.

"I would be happier if I had full tires every time we came to the finish,” he said. “The pace is good, but we are losing a lot of time like everybody else. We got stuck one time. We are still in the running, maybe not for the win.

“We will try and target the top five places. The cancellation of the stage is not good. I need the kilometers," he added.

The 93 Km Kamukuru to Hunters Look Out, the second and last stage of the day, witnessed downpour, affecting several drivers including Geoff Bell in the final kilometers of the stage.

Former two-time Classic Rally champion Ian Duncan hoped for fewer tire troubles and climbed two spots in the overall standings satisfied with the run so far.

"A few less punctures would have been good,” he said. “The speeds have gotten really fast. But it's okay we are still going and nothing too serious that we can't sort. Today it's very hot down here. As for the trees, I am not quite sure if it's too much cumber in the rear wheels. Well let's see. I know a lot of cars are having tire problems."

Safari Classic debutant Kyle Lucas from Kenya completed all three days, acknowledging the challenging nature of the event.

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"I have been very humbled by the camaraderie among everyone and all the help that we have gotten all through the way," said Lucas, expressing satisfaction with their performance as first-timers.

Running an Opel Astra with a testing and development strategy in mind, Kenya’s Eric Bengi overcame initial difficulties and shared his experience.

"We started on a very low key. Today, we proceed and continue our development plans for this car as we are getting ready to use it in several future competitions," Bengi concluded.

Thursday will see the drivers and their crews take a well-earned rest day, with the public being able to watch the cars in the Service Park at Carnivore grounds.

Even though it will be a rest day for the drivers and navigators, the team’s service crews will have a lot of work to do on their respective rally cars.

END OF DAY OVERALL – PROVISIONAL TOP 5

Eugenio AMOS PORSCHE 911 07:41:39.3

Baldev CHAGER PORSCHE 911 08:00:23.7 18:44.4

Emile BREITTMAYER PORSCHE 911 08:09:26. 27:46.8

Kris ROSENBERGER PORSCHE 911 08:12:40.0 08:12:40.0

Jourdan SERDERIDIS PORSCHE 911 08:12:51.0 08:12:51.0