Epic scenes: Vipingo Ridge is the venue for its biggest event
On the 9th December almost 1000 people were engaged in the start of the 11th edition of the East African Safari Classic Rally at Vipingo Ridge.
From drivers, co-drivers and team managers, Vipingo Ridge residents, corporate sponsors and County Government, Local Community Elders and public spectators – the Ridge was alive with support for this international motorsport event.
Vipingo Ridge was the chosen venue for the ceremonial start and the Rally Officials opted to also have a 15.4 km Prologue Stage. As with many competitive stages of this rally, access to the private land of the wider estate created an opportunity for a safe and controlled route.
The venue also presented the chance for the rally to have its only official spectator stage during the event, with the public and Vipingo Ridge guests able to get close to the action and enjoy the Rally Village entertainment in the official Spectator Park.
Two week Countdown
On 22nd November the first rally team shirts started appearing at Vipingo Ridge. The preparations were underway as Tuthill Porsche from the UK, the first and largest of the teams (with 12 Porsche 911s) preparing their cars at the Ridge had arrived.
Steadily the numbers of rally teams arriving at Vipingo Ridge grew day by day, and by Friday 8th December the 63 competitive teams were registered, the cars had been through scrutineering and the manager and drivers briefings were underway.
The start of the East African Safari Classic Rally 2023
The set up from the EASCR Officials is impressive. The ramp is bigger than you imagine, and with 44 international entries this year, the array of flags was spectacular. The Vipingo Ridge Conference Lawn and Helipad was the perfect setting for creating a runway of sponsor flags for the cars to await their moment.
Well choreographed, the event began wit hshort speeches and with an impressive and adventurous skydiving display from our partners Go Jump Kenya.
From 9:03AM the flagging off began. Rally timings are very precise and every 3-minutes a car leaves the ceremonial ramp. Flagging off the first car, car number 1 and last winner Kenyan Baldev Chager was the Hon, Deputy Governor Flora Mbetsa Chibule.
The Prologue Route
With the recent rains across Kenya this rally has been billed as one of the toughest and muddiest in recent memory. The Prologue was a timed stage to set placement for the start of the Competitive Stages the following morning. The route however did prove a challenge, with some teams struggling.
Take a look at this gallery of images from the day, from the ceremonial start to the epic views by the Chodari Dam. We were pleased to welcome so many like-minded enthusiasts to Vipingo Ridge.
Keen to know what happened next? Head over to our diary of all the rally action day by day.