By KPC Sports Reporter
Defending Equatorial Rally champion Piers Daykin arrived in Taita Taveta on Thursday and immediately slipped into rally mode, setting his sights on retaining the title he claimed last year alongside navigator Lloyd Destro.
“It’s good to be back,” Daykin said after completing scrutineering.
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“I’m feeling good, a bit nervous, of course, but we’re here, and hopefully we’re as prepared as we were last year.”
This year, Daykin lines up in a new machine—the Datsun 280Z—and with a notably refined approach.
“I think the key for us is now learning how to be a bit more measured and controlled. That’s really the aim this time, to be more mature in how we approach the rally. It comes down to self-control. I picked up many lessons in the last Classic, especially about using the brain instead of just the right foot.”
Back alongside Destro, the duo return not just as competitors but as the benchmark in a field where, as always in endurance rallying, everyone is chasing the reigning champions.
Preparations Complete
With hours to go before the start, organizers have confirmed full readiness for the second edition of the rally, set to run from May 1st to 3rd.
Clerk of Course Riyaz Ismail, speaking from rally headquarters in Taita Taveta on Thursday, described a focused but controlled build-up.
“Today’s activities focused on the final administrative and technical checks.
Competitors completed documentation to confirm entries and compliance before moving into scrutineering, where cars underwent detailed inspections to ensure they meet safety and regulatory standards,” he said.
A total of 28 cars have been cleared for the start line, forming a diverse field that blends classic rally icons with endurance-focused builds.
Fans can expect to see machines such as Ford Escorts, Triumphs, Datsuns, and Nissan Z models in the historic category, alongside two rally raid cars adding a new competitive dimension.
Among the international entrants, Rwandan driver Giancarlo Davite returns to Kenya with a focus on reliability and enjoyment.
“Coming back to Kenya for my second rally this year after Safari, I’m just happy to be here and part of the Equatorial Classic Rally,” said Davite.
“Rallying is something I love, and with limited opportunities back home in Rwanda, events like this mean a lot. We’re back with the Toyota Corolla Levin after a tough outing last time with reliability issues, so the focus now is simple: have a clean run, enjoy the drive, and see how the car holds up.”
Seasoned navigator Tej Sehmi, partnering Asad Anwar under the Africa Eco Motorsports team, is keeping expectations grounded.
“Take it as it comes and enjoy it, that’s the most important thing,” Sehmi said.
The rally is spearheaded by Equatorial Classic Rallying with support from the Taita Taveta County Government and seven host partners whose land forms the backbone of the stages: Lumo Community Wildlife Conservancy, Lualenyi Ranching Company Limited, Choke Conservancy, Kutima Ranch, Mgeno Conservancy, Mgeno Community, and Gicheha Farm.
Action begins with a ceremonial flag-off from 9am, after which the first car will leave Mwatunge grounds for the opening stage, Block 11 – Block 8 Camp, a 69.60-kilometer test.
Crews will then tackle Latika–Langa (85.85km), the longest section of the first leg, before heading through Landi–Pusa (74.30km) and concluding the day at the Club House.
Full Entry List:
Piers Daykin / Lloyd Destro. Rocca Rally. Datsun 280Z. Kenya.
Ian Duncan / Jaspal Matharu. Ian Duncan Rally. Datsun 280Z. Kenya.
Robert Calder / Gavin Laurence. Quest Performance Rallying. Datsun 280Z. Kenya.
Richard Arrowsmith / Roger Midwood. Freestone RS. Ford Escort Mk 1. Great Britain.
Farhaaz Khan / Alfir Khan. ALS Motorsports. Porsche 911. Kenya.
Shakeel Khan / Assad Mughal. ALS Motorsports. Ford Escort Mk 1. Kenya.
Jonathan Somen / Jaden Somen. Scuderia Dagoretti. Ford Escort Mk 2. Kenya.
Malcom Destro / Oliver Francombe. Team Tomcat. Datsun 260Z. Kenya.
Asad Anwar / Tej Sehmi. Africa Eco Motorsports. Ford Escort Mk 1. Kenya.
Aslam Khan / Ishaq Taher. ALS Motorsports. Ford Escort Mk 1. Kenya.
Russel Hughes / Mellisa Shepherd. Team Huzi. Ford Capri. Kenya.
Bobby Chaudhry / Shabaz Anwar. Hellostraw Racing. Ford Escort Mk 1. Great Britain / Kenya.
Kyle Lucas / Kaya Tyack. Team BRF. Ford Escort Mk 2. Kenya.
Geoffrey Page-Morris / Dez Page-Morris. Quest Performance Rallying. Datsun 260Z. Kenya.
Mark Tilbury / Herman Raijsenaars. TRT. Ford Escort Mk 2. Kenya / Netherlands.
Ibrahim Namoya / Inda Craig. F and R Speed. Toyota Platz. Kenya.
Onkar Kalsi / Qahir Rahim. Onkar Kalsi. Datsun 260Z. Kenya.
Giancarlo Davite / Zahir Shah. Gianca Rally Team. Toyota Corolla 16V. Rwanda / Kenya.
Carl Tundo / Billy Tundo. Triumph TR7 V8. Kenya.
Angelo Perez-Riemer / Konstantin Mastalka. SSS Rallysport Ltd. Datsun Violet GT. Germany.
Amman Shah / Rahil Shah. Kenya Sweets Rally Team. Datsun Violet GT. Kenya.
Mukesh Jani / Shameer Yusuf. SSS Rallysport Ltd. Datsun Violet GT. India / Kenya.
Rajesh Maini / Devan Bhundia. Team USN. Datsun 280Z. Kenya.
Phillip Kyriazi / Max Green. Equatorial Classic Rallying. Ford Escort Mk 2. Kenya.
Anthony Nielsen / William Bass. Equatorial Classic Rallying. Ford Escort Mk 1. Kenya.
Peter Young / Zane Young. Young Ones. Ford Capri. Kenya.
Piotr Beaupre / Michal Zoll. Zoll Racing. Ford Escort Mk 2. Poland.
George Kyriazi / Victor Okundi. Equatorial Classic Rallying. Ford Escort Mk 2. Kenya.
