Kenyan rally driver Piers Daykin tightened his grip on the top spot in the standings of East Africa Classic Safari Rally on Sunday, withstanding a punishing but drama-free third day in Taita Hills.
Daykin mastered the vast, dust-blown trails of Taita Hills estates behind the wheels of Datsun 280Z car.
While rivals faltered under mechanical strain and driving missteps, Daykin, co-driven by Lloyd Destro, delivered a textbook performance across 223 kilometers of competitive stages, stretching their advantage to a formidable three minutes and 15.8 seconds over second-placed Kenyan duo of Baldev Chager and his navigator Gareth Dawe in a Porsche 911 car.
Clocking the fastest time
The Dutch-Belgian pair of Ramon Vos and Stephanie Prevot, also in a 911 car, now trail the leaders by 19 minutes and 43.9 seconds, underscoring Daykin’s near-total control of the event.
The day began with fireworks as former Formula 1 driver Jos Verstappen of Belgium, driving a Porsche 911 car, lit up the 90.49km CS7-Taita Hills Post-Teita Estate stage, clocking the fastest time and briefly jumping ahead of Daykin by 19 seconds.
Britain’s Harry Hunt (Porsche 911) and M-Sport’s Ford World Championship team member, Jourdan Serderidis from Greece, followed closely, while Chager slipped to fifth.
But the leaderboard turned on its head in the 66.15km Vuga stage, where Serderidis unleashed a stunning run, posting 32.9 seconds faster than anyone else to surge into the lead and knock Chager down to third. Daykin dropped to fourth and Verstappen to third. For a moment, the Dutchman’s early heroics and Serderidis’ brilliance threatened to disrupt Daykin’s dominance.
It didn’t last though. On the crucial 66.69km Mwachanda-Vigurungani stage, Daykin rediscovered his rhythm, posting the day’s best time and finishing 28.1 seconds ahead of Hunt as crews headed into the overnight halt. Calm, consistent, and ruthlessly efficient—that was the Daykin blueprint.
“Everything went to plan today,” Daykin said. “No mistakes, no damage_just solid progress. We gained a little on Baldev, which is always good. The car’s holding up well, and that’s the priority.”
“I just need to manage the margins now. When we head back to the coast, we’ll hit stages I really don’t enjoy—but up here, in these hills, I know how to make it work.”
Chager, meanwhile, reflected on a day of highs and near-misses.
Growing list of casualties
“Stage one was tricky, and Piers nailed it. In stage two, we pushed hard and took the fastest time—really rewarding on such a technical route with fewer distractions from animals and public roads. It was long, but fun. Then in stage three, the brakes jammed, and we slid gently into the bank. Nothing serious—thankfully, at low speed—but it cost us time.”
The Safari’s legendary brutality took its toll as expected. Verstappen was forced out after car trouble, joining a growing list of casualties succumbing to the rally’s relentless demands.
With the field reshuffled and gaps widening, the challenge intensifies. Wednesday brings three critical stages—Taita Hills War-Taita Hills Post (49.95km), Kighononyi-Ndii (53.75km), and the epic 122.57km Simba-Iremito marathon before a vital service break at Amboseli Sopa Lodge. Teams will use the pause to repair, recalibrate, and brace for the rally’s decisive final leg.
1. Piers Daykin/Lloyd Destro, Ken/Ken, (Datsun 280Z) – 07 Hours 02 Minutes 04.7 Seconds
2. Baldev Chager/Gareth Dawe,Ken/Ken (Porsche 911) – 07:05:20.5 (+03:15.8)
3. Remon Vos/ Stéphane Prevot, Nld/Bel (Porsche 911) – 07:21:48.6 (+19:43.9)
4. Harry Hunt/ Steve McPhee, Gbr/Gbr (Porsche 911) – 07:23:44.8 (+21:40.1)
5. Evgeny Kireev/ PG Andersson, Cyp/Swe, Bel/Bel (Porsche 911) – 07:27:15.5 (+25:10.8)
6. Jourdan Serderidis/ Grégoire Munster, Gre/Lux, (Porsche Carrera SC 911) – 07:29:04.3 (+26:59.6)
7. Fred Miclotte/ Diederick Pattyn, Bel/Bel (Porsche Carrera SC 911) – 07:32:05.0 (+30:00.3)
8. Keith McIvor/David Burns, Gbr/Gbr, (Porsche 911) – 07:38:49.8 (+36:45.1)
9. Roger Samuelsson/ Jessica Patel, Swe/Gbr, (Porsche 911) – 07:50:59.3 (+48:54.6)
10. Thomas Bell/ Ryan Champion, Aer/Gbr, (Porsche 911) – 07:53:36.7 (+51:32.0)
