After torrential rains besieged the route of the entire event and at the wheel of the 1975 Datsun 260Z, Steve, from Chesterfield who was expertly co-driven by Swede Staffan Parmander, recovered from mechanical dramas which cost him over an hour, whilst posting a pair of fastest overall stage times along the way.

After breaking a prop shaft in the second section of the rally and losing an hour repairing the car, Steve then lost more time in a mud hole later in the same day. His recovery from the lower reaches of the top thirty to a final position of fifth was one of the highlights of the rally.

The final day today was a short 156km run back from Tsavo National Park to Mombasa. The only dramas today were a close encounter with a particularly large monkey in the second stage and then being caught in the dust of fellow Kick Energy driver Geoff Bell for over ten kilometres in the final stage of the entire rally.

Back at the finish in Mombasa a visibly relieved Steve commented on the event: “This is by far the most difficult and challenging rally I have ever done in my life. The hammering that the car, Staffan and I have taken has been incredible and the BTR team have worked magic in all sorts of inhospitable conditions. Today was a lot of fun, nice stages in dry, dusty conditions which made a pleasant change from the torrential rain we’ve had for most of the event. We caught our team-mate Geoff Bell in the last stage of the rally as he was nursing a car with no spare wheels and a bent rim and it took a long time for him to see us. I must say massive congratulations to Geoff on finishing second overall, sandwiched between two former World Rally champions! He also wins the Gentleman’s World Rally Club (G-WRC), so I guess we have to buy the champagne tonight. I am now looking forward to the Roger Albert Clark Rally this weekend where I’ll be in action with Paul Spooner calling the notes in the Lancia Stratos. After all the mud I’ve encountered here I’m almost hoping for some ice to put into practice Staffan’s advice!”

Despite Steve winning the self-styled G-WRC class on today’s final day of rallying, Bell had taken enough victories earlier in the event to win the award which stipulates that fellow G-WRC members Steve and Andrew Siddall must pick up the bill for the champagne tonight.

The rally was won by 1979 World Rally champion Bjorn Waldegard and is the first time that a Porsche has ever won the Safari Rally. Bjorn was chased hard over the final few days by Kick Energy driver Geoff Bell in a Datsun 260Z but Geoff’s charge faded when he was left stranded in a mud hole for over twenty minutes on the penultimate day.

One final thought to put the event into perspective: At over 4000km long, the 2011 East African Classic Safari Rally was longer than five full seasons of the ANCRO National Rally Championship…

Daily bulletins have been provided by the Kick Rally Team press office throughout the event with photography provided by Geoff Mayes. Thanks for everyone’s kind comments and hope you have enjoyed keeping up with Steve’s adventure.

For further details please visit www.eastafricansafarirally.com

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The opening stage of the day was also the longest of the entire rally. At 154.44km, this section was the very same stretch of road where Steve broke his neck during the 2007 running of this rally. Neither a loose steering wheel nor a very close encounter with a donkey could deter Steve from finally completing this stage as he recorded the fifth fastest time.

The next two stages took in the breathtaking Mbulu Escarpment. With plenty of uphill hairpins and tight and narrow sections Mbulu 1 was not really ideal 260Z territory and yet Steve went on to set an identical time to team-mate Andrew Siddall of tenth fastest overall, which was quite amazing after 39km of competition. Again livestock kept Steve on his toes as this time a calf refused to move out of the way and the Datsun had to detour around it.

The final section was a high-speed 67km blast towards Ngorongoro Crater. Fourth fastest through this test has helped Steve claw back more time but the section was not without incident after a wildebeest chose to leap over the bonnet on a high-speed straight. During this stage Steve also received more ice driving tips from Staffan as they slithered through yet another mud hole!

At the end of the third day of action Steve was pleased with his performance and commented: “It’s been a good day overall. We’ve had some interesting moments with animals, especially the wildebeest in the third stage as that really had our hearts in our mouths. The first stage was where I broke my neck in 2007 and so it was especially pleasing to get through that without any major dramas. Staffan’s ice driving tips are helping a huge amount in the mud, at this rate we might tackle Rally Sweden next year!”

In the Gentleman’s World Rally Club (G-WRC), Steve took maximum points today after dramas cost Geoff Bell time when he caught a fellow competitor in the first stage and punctured whilst trying to pass. He then hit a tree and dropped substantial time, but still holds fourth overall. Andrew Siddall has been on a charge today and as well as equalling Steve’s time through CS8 has consistently set top ten times despite catching numerous slower cars all day long.

Day four sees the surviving crews head back to Kenya and on to Amboseli for a well-earned rest. Three stages, one in Tanzania and a further two in Kenya, make up the day’s action. Based on the recent wet weather the first section could be very tricky as it consists of copious amounts of thick volcanic sand which when wet, makes the going very difficult. Crews need to be alert through the two stages in Kenya as they are on the border of Amboseli National Park and plenty of wildlife wanders the area.

For further details please visit www.eastafricansafarirally.com

Pictures courtesy of Geoff Mayes.

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After the time loss incurred on the opening day of the rally yesterday, Steve was languishing down in 33rd position but the organisers, aware of his pace, opted to re-seed him overnight and thus he began day two running eighth on the road.

The first stage of the day, a 115km blast around Mount Kilimanjaro, was primarily dry but towards the end of the test the crews faced a three-kilometre mud hole that once was a road. Swedish co-driver Parmander turned driving instructor and using his experience of driving in the snow was able to guide Steve through. The Datsun slipped and slithered through the obstacles and onto the finish of the stage where they recorded their second top ten stage time of the event.

The second test of the day was cancelled after overnight rains flooded parts of the road and so the crews headed to an extended re-group before tackling the short 38km section six. This short route consisted of fast, flowing bends and, for a change, was completely dry. Yet another top ten time saw the pair rapidly climb up the leaderboard, but are still 1 hour 42 minutes off the overnight leader, Bjorn Waldegard.

Despite suffering from contracting man-flu, a very happy Steve commented at end of day service: “A much better day today! It’s a shame that the second stage was cancelled but even the organisers cannot control the weather. We were very lucky not to get stuck in the mud hole on the first section, Staffan was yelling and swearing at me to stay on the road and he really was a major asset again today in keeping us going!”

With the Datsun team suffering from overheating differentials, BTR are currently hard at work manufacturing makeshift diff coolers in an effort to help with the smooth running of the three Datsun 260Zs in the Kick Rally Team where Perez is joined by Geoff Bell and Andrew Siddall. Otherwise known as the Gentleman’s World Rally Club (G-WRC) these three drivers have their own ‘championship’ and in the standings, another victory for Geoff Bell gives him an additional five points whilst Andrew Siddall was left frustrated after getting stranded in the mud hole at the end of the first stage of the day.

Tomorrow’s stages see three stages run to the south east of Arusha and totalling over 240 kilometres. The first stage of the day is a mammoth 154 kilometres long and in 2009 had to be cancelled after torrential rain destroyed a number of bridges in the section. Just 15 hours before this stage is due to run this year the reports are that it is dry but overnight rain is expected and a final decision will be made in the morning.

The next two sections take in the breathtaking Mbulu Hills but the crews will have no time to take in the sights but instead will face obstacles such as long river crossings and steep drops off the side of the road, once again a stern reminder that this event is not for the faint hearted!

For further details please visit www.eastafricansafarirally.com.

Picture courtesy of Geoff Mayes.

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Steve and co-driver Staffan Parmander were bubbling with confidence at the end of the opening test having posted the third quickest time on the stage, behind only Ian Duncan and Bjorn Waldegaard, both former winners of this event which was pretty impressive considering that this is arguably the finest entry list seen on this event in recent years.

Stage two saw the competitors tackle the famous Taita Hills and the crew were to have a rude reminder of how tough this rally is. A broken propshaft just 18 kilometres into the 85-kilometre stage saw Steve and Staffan stranded until Kick Energy team-mates Geoff Bell and Tim Challen kindly lent their spare propshaft. The ensuing repairs, undertaken by the vastly experienced Paramander, took the better part of an hour. During this time a rather large centipede made an appearance but was rapidly removed from the vicinity by Staffan, much to the consternation of the gathered local spectators!

More time was lost in the third section of the day which meant Steve was now running amongst slower cars and kept catching them during the stage. Then, just seven kilometres from the end, the VK driver encountered a huge mud hole strewn with stranded rally cars. Another thirty minutes was lost whilst enough enthusiastic locals were rounded up, cash changed hands and the Datsun 260Z was hauled out of the thick, glutinous mud.

An exhausted Steve was more than happy to see the check-in control at the end of the day: “This is definitely the toughest day of rallying I have ever done! The propshaft breakage was very frustrating as my team-mate Geoff Bell broke one in testing and so we were aware that it was a weakness but for some reason I did not have a spare in my car. Thanks to Geoff for lending me his spare and as we are awarding five points for each day win in the G-WRC, Geoff now leads the standings.. But not for long if I have my way!”

Day two sees the crews cross over into Tanzania in the shadow of Mount Kilimanjaro. The first stage is brand new to the event, a 112-kilometre run up towards Arusha. The second section, from Mounduli to Mto wa Mbu, is the second longest stage of the rally at an incredible 142 kilometres which is longer than an entire British National A event all in one timed section. The final test of the day is a short 37-kilometre run back into Arusha for the overnight halt.

In the G-WRC (the self-styled competition which comprises the Gentlemen’s World Rally Club) Geoff Bell lies fifth overall whilst Andrew Siddall has overcome both an overheating issue and a time consuming encounter with the infamous mud hole on stage three to make it to Amboseli under his own power with Perez in third.

For further details please visit www.eastafricansafarirally.com

Pictures courtesy of Geoff Mayes.

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Steve and Swedish co-driver Staffan Parmander have nine days of some of the toughest terrain imaginable ahead of them and already have pre-event dramas to deal with.

The BTR Team is again in charge of running the Datsun 260Z, the very same car Steve drove to an amazing third overall on the last Classic Safari in 2009 but after weeks of testing the car and fine tuning the suspension, the team has encountered a last minute problem as a misfire reared its head less than 24 hours before the ceremonial start.

BTR supremo Tim Ashton suspects that dirt in the carburettor might be the cause but with the ceremonial start taking place at 15.00 local time this afternoon under the famous Elephant Tusks in Mombasa town, the team faces a race against time.

Commenting earlier today, Steve said: “We have had a couple of weeks of really good testing and for the first time I’m happy with the suspension set-up on the Datsun, but now we have this silly misfire interrupting preparations. To be honest I’m a little relieved as things have been going so smoothly I was getting a little concerned!”

Perez is joined in the Vodka Kick Team by Geoff Bell and Andrew Siddall in their respective Datsun 260Zs. Otherwise known as the Gentleman’s World Rally Club (G-WRC) these three drivers have their own ‘championship’ at historic events in exotic locations such as Barbados, Sweden, Mallorca and New Zealand. “I think I may be in the lead at the moment, but it’s the Safari Classic that really counts!”said Bell.

The route for day one tomorrow is not for the faint hearted. Three special stages amounting to 285 kilometres will take the crews from the coastal resort of Mombasa to the foothills of the snow capped Kilimanjaro, Africa’s largest mountain. Along the way the crews will face everything from wildlife (one note reads ‘caution, lions seen here recently’) to thick black cotton mud and breathtaking scenery taken straight out of an Ernest Hemingway novel.

Special stage two also includes the famous Taita Hills where Steve posted his first fastest stage time on the previous event and thus the former British Historic, National and BTRDA champion is brimming with confidence.

For further details please visit www.eastafricansafarirally.com

Picture courtesy of Geoff Mayes: Steve Perez is hoping for a repeat of his 2009 EASCR podium.

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Making a rare appearance in the Ford Focus WRC, the Chesterfield driver along with co-driver Carl Williamson were soon into their stride and after setting fifth fastest time on the day’s first stage, they upped the pace to hold third after the third of seven tests in the penultimate round of the 2011 Silverstone Tyres BTRDA Rally Series.

But very early on into the 8.3-mile SS4, they ran wide on a corner and the resultant front puncture meant they had to stop and change the wheel which dropped them over eight minutes and with it any chance of victory.

Undeterred, Perez valiantly continued and with a series of top six times, managed to claw himself up from 98th position after SS4 to a little bit more respectable 60th overall at the finish.

Perez commented: “It’s only the second time I’ve used the car this year and it took a little getting used to again and it also took a little while for Carl and I to get up to speed on the pacenotes too. All was going well when I ran wide and punctured just a short way into the fourth stage and with over seven miles to go, we knew we had to stop and change the wheel. I must admit, I was a bit rusty doing that as I’ve not had to change a wheel since the last East African Safari Rally two years ago! But we decided to battle on and see how far we could get back up the leaderboard and in the end, I was happy with my times.”

Full details and results of the Woodpecker Stages are available on at www.woodpecker-rally.co.uk

Photo courtesy of Simon Clarke: Steve Perez and Carl Williamson in action on the Woodpecker Stages Rally

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Driving the Dansport-prepared Porsche 911 RSR and along with Welsh co driver Paul Spooner, the reigning BTRDA Champions finished nearly two minutes ahead of nearest rivals Andrew Siddall and Carl Williamson in their Ford Escort Mk2 on the annual Caribbean island event with South African Geoff Bell and Kenyan co driver Tim Challen in third.

After getting used to driving a two-wheel drive car on the tricky and slippery lanes as opposed to his normal Ford Focus WRC which he normally contests the rally in, the crew altered settings to improve the car’s handling on Saturday and by Sunday, Perez, the former British Historic and National Champion, was soon setting fastest stage times as he marched up the leaderboard.

Perhaps more importantly for Perez than the actual victory, he racked up maximum points in the self-appointed ‘G-WRC’ which he is contesting this season along with a handful of other drivers. Standing for ‘Gentleman’s World Rally Class’, it’s been hatched by Perez along with fellow competitors Andrew Siddall and Geoff Bell whereby they will all contest events such as Rally Barbados, Geko Ypres, the Midnight Sun, East African Safari Classic and culminating in the Roger Albert Clark Rally with the best placed driver winning a case of finest champagne, funded by the two losers!

Whilst Perez was victorious, the battle in the ‘G-WRC’ between Siddall and Bell went right to the wire with Siddall getting the verdict by less than a second after over one and a quarter hours worth of competitive driving!

Prior to sampling some of the island’s finest rum at the prizegiving, Perez commented: “I’ve been coming here for many years so it’s great to get my hands on a winner’s trophy at last! OK, it’s not the overall victory that I’ve challenged for in the past but this is every bit as sweet. The car ran faultlessly and I have to thank the Dansport team as they did a wonderful job with a brand new car, all three of the team’s cars reached the finish without any problems.”

He continued: “Also, I’m delighted to take victory in the G-WRC after Andrew Siddall and Geoff Bell both beat me on Rallye Mallorca but it couldn’t have been a closer finish between them! I said I was hoping to reverse the result here and we did! What’s more, we are getting a lot of interest from both competitors and organisers alike so it’s really taking off and you never know where it might end up. The next event we are doing is the Midnight Sun Rally in Sweden so we will all resume battle then.”

It’s back to domestic action next for Perez and Spooner with the Rainworth Skoda Dukeries Rally this forthcoming Saturday whereby the 2010 Gold Star Champions will be aiming to emulate their victory of last year in the Ford Focus WRC.

Perez’s plans are for a selected number of events which will see him competing on a number of foreign events in 2011. Visits to Spa, Mallorca and Barbados already are to be followed by visits to Ypres, Flanders and the Midnight Sun Rally which will be highlighted with another attempt at the East African Safari Classic Rally in November followed by the season-ending Roger Albert Clark Rally in December.

Picture courtesy of Himal Reece (www.JustBajan.com). Steve Perez and Paul Spooner in action on the SOL Rally Barbados at the weekend.

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The three times British and National Champion from Chesterfield was at the wheel of his iconic 1974 Lancia Stratos and hoping for a good result on his event debut but along with co-driver Carl Williamson was forced out less than half a mile from the end of the second stage on Friday evening, much to his disappointment.

After arriving home, Perez commented: “What an experience! I’ve heard so much about this event I just had to do it, it’s a pity the experience was so short! To be competing alongside many of rallying’s past masters who were also heroes of mine was fantastic and to be signing autographs alongside the likes of Ari Vatanen, Bjorn Waldegard and Raouno Aaltonen was such a privilege.”

He continued: “I sometimes get a little despondent and feel like throwing the towel in with the Lancia but then I see what joy it brings to peoples faces, the smiles, the cheers and all the flash cameras going off, it makes me want to persevere so it’s a mission of mine to continue making people happy.”

Sadly the damage to the gearbox, whereby the parts have to be hand-made in Italy, will rule Steve out of the Rally Marketing Mid Wales Historic Stages Rally on March 6th but he hopes to be back in action the following week for the Rally Isla Mallorca which commences three days of action on the Spanish island on March 10th.

It’s all part of Perez’s plan for a selected number of events this year which will see him competing on a number of foreign events in 2011. Visits to Barbados, Ypres, Flanders and the Midnight Sun Rally will be highlighted with another attempt at the East African Safari Classic Rally in November whereas plans for the UK include the Bulldog International Rally of North Wales and the Pirelli International Rally, followed by the McRae Stages and then the season-ending Roger Albert Clark Rally in December.

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With the iconic BTR-prepared Lancia Stratos now decked out with decals of the individuals and companies who have donated to the fund set up by the Chesterfield driver in aid of the family of fellow competitor Martyn Lewis, who was killed earlier this year on the Dukeries Rally, Perez is hoping for a change of luck on what has been one of his bogey events in recent years.

“It was unfortunate that the Premier Rally last weekend had to be cancelled so I’m planning on holding the co-driving experience that was auctioned off on eBay until another event. But I wanted to keep the momentum going so we have decided to include a decal on the car for everyone who has donated to this cause and what better event to do this at than the RAC,” said the former British Historic and National Rally Champion who also clinched this year’s BTRDA series.

He continued: “We will have collection buckets around the truck in the service areas and also, people can just give me or my co-driver Paul Spooner some cash when they see us in the car. It’s quite compact in the cockpit, with not much room, so we prefer notes rather than loose change if possible…! All the proceeds will be passed onto Martyn’s widow Catherine and his son Charlie, all of which is being audited by Howard Wilcock of the BTRDA.”

The rally starts in Pickering on Friday evening and finishes in Carlisle on Monday afternoon. For further information, please visit www.rogeralbertclarkrally.org

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Driving the Ford Focus 07 along with Welsh co driver Paul Spooner, Perez, from Chesterfield, slid off on the treacherously icy Comb stage and knew from that point on, any hopes of victory for a second successive year on the Cockermouth-based event were slim.

Despite that, the former British Historic and National Rally Champion gamely battled on and as the crews headed for the infamous Grizedale tests near Coniston, Perez had clawed his way up to third place when on the penultimate stage, rally leader Paul Bird suffered a problem which forced him out leaving Perez to battle it out for the lead and courtesy of three stage wins in the final four tests, took a 17-second win.

The victory was Steve’s second successive BTRDA Championship round win following his Wyedean victory last month and upon reaching the finish ramp in Cockermouth High Street, which less than four months ago was under eight feet of water, he paid tribute to the spirit of the town.

“This has got to be my most unexpected victory ever as after losing a minute this morning; I thought I had no chance of winning. But it just goes to show if you keep fighting, anything can happen and I’m delighted to retain my title. If anything, it’s even more special as everyone knows what the people of Cockermouth have been through just before Christmas so to have an event like the Malcolm Wilson Rally here, and to have the honour of winning it, really means a lot and I hope they can get back to normality pretty soon,” said Steve.

Steve’s next outing is scheduled for the Bulldog International Rally of North Wales on Saturday 27th March where he plans to call his iconic Lancia Stratos into British Historic Rally Championship action.

Results
1. Steve Perez/Paul Spooner – Ford Focus WRC – 0:48:31
2. Jonathan Greer/Jonny Hart – Ford Focus WRC – 0:48:48
3. Roger Chilman Jnr/Andrew Sankey – Subaru Impreza – 0:50:02
4. Paul Benn/Richard Cooke – Ford Focus WRC – 0:50:02
5. David Wright/Michael Wilkinson – Mitsubishi Evo9 – 0:50:24
6. Stephen Petch/John Richardson – Hyundai Accent WRC – 0:50:30
7. Owen Murphy/Chris Davies – Mitsubishi Evo9 – 0:52:33
8. Gary Cooper/Jon Riley – Subaru Impreza 0:52:48
9. Gary Tomlinson/Nick Fieldhouse – Subaru Impreza – 0:53:16
10. Richard Cook/Edwin Cook – Subaru Impreza – 0:53:57

Picture courtesy of Geoff Mayes.

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