Duncan storms Safari

Kenyan veteran Ian Duncan guided his Ford Mustang to an emphatic victory on the East African Safari Classic Rally, the toughest event on the historic rally schedule.

After nine days of competition in Kenya and Tanzania, Duncan’s self-prepared Mustang was almost 10 minutes clear of former Safari winner Björn Waldegård in a Porsche 911 co-driven by the car’s owner, Iqbal Sagoo.

From 24 competitive sections, Duncan and co-driver Amaar Slatch (inset) set the fastest time on 12 and led from the start. Only two problems interrupted their run: first a series of punctures in north-west Kenya and then a failed distributor drive on the penultimate day. But Duncan had the measure of the field and arrived back in Mombasa as a commanding winner.

“That was a long way,” said Duncan. “We’re so glad to have done it and won this rally at last, especially after the disappointment with the Mustang two years ago. It was a great event.”

Waldegård was always the closest rival to Duncan and eventually took second, with an hour in hand over third-placed Steve Perez. “We are happy to be here and have enjoyed the rally very much,” said Waldegård. “The car was good and we are in second place so maybe the driver was not so bad either!”

Perez and Staffan Parmander took their Datsun 260Z to third for what Perez described as the greatest achievement in his rallying career. “This has given me so much pleasure and just to get to the finish is amazing, let alone be on the podium,” said the British driver.