Samani Rally Team veteran Dinesh Sachania is among the Kenya Airways East African Safari Classic Rally 2017 entrants who have taken full advantage of the “new power steering rule” which he believes will propel him to desirable heights on the gruelling nine day extravaganza.
“Kaka” as he is amiably referred to as in Kenyan rallying circles had the guts to avow in a recent interview that with the help of his experienced co-driver Feisal Khan and the power steering, he has what it takes to steer his Datsun 180B to top 15 what with other key changes made since 2015.
This year’s Safari Classic Rally includes several small but significant changes to the rally regulations, key among them the use of power steering which is now permitted on the grounds of comfort and safety, with the cut-off age for cars being stretched to 1985.
“We have installed new and more durable fuel pumps. We are also installing a new power steering to make our driving easier and more enjoyable. We are planning to finish at least in the top 15, but not until savoring the gruelling drive on historic terrain. Since the last classic, the Datsun has undergone a full rebuild. Faiyo (Khan) is such an experienced navigator and was part of our team during the last Safari Classic Rally. Being Tinu Khan’s nephew, I have full confidence in him. He is levelheaded on the tulips whenever he gets down to serious business on the cockpit.”
Asked about some vivid moments he can recall from his maiden Safari Classic in 2015 , Kaka had this to say: “The rain during the event and driving through muddy sections of the route course was immense fun. We got bogged down a few times but that’s part of the adventure of this game.”
And asked to explain what makes him now want to return to the Safari Classic Rally time and time again, Kaka was never short of words to describe how much he savours his on the East African Safari Rally Limited organized Rally. “It is fantastic fun meeting new people from around the world who share the same passion of rallying.”
Kaka is fully convinced that Tinu Khan’s experience and contribution as team manager will truly help “Team Samani” on its 2017 course.
“Tinu is a key player in our team and indeed the development of Kenyan motor racing. He knows the ins and outs of the car being the guy who maintains the vehicle. What’s more, he has participated in several classic events as a navigator and a team organiser giving him vast knowledge of what to expect of gigantic events of Safari Classic calibre
And prodded to reveal just what it feels like to interact and compete against some of the world’s and Safari’s legends like Stig Blomqvist and Ian Duncan, Kaka went on to explain: “It is a real pleasure to drive against Blomqvist and always a great pleasure competing with Ian. I have completed against Ian over seraval Kenya National Rallies in the past, so meeting two Safari Classic Rally greats in a competitive atmosphere is always a moment to savor for a long time. In my younger days I enjoyed driving the Subaru. I then upgraded to Mitsubishi Evolution as the KNRC had increased its pace and it proved to be a very stable and reliable car. As for the Datsun, I switched to it to enjoy the classic splendour.”
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