Tuthill Porsche announce stellar Safari Classic line-up
Tuthill Porsche have announced their largest ever line-up of drivers for this year’s East African Safari Classic rally, including two former World Rally champions.
Internationally-renowned for their preparation of rally-spec classic Porsche 911s, Tuthill’s attack in the biannual event will be spearheaded by the Swedish duo of Björn Waldegård and Stig Blomqvist.
Waldegård starts in Mombasa today as one of the favourites to take victory after winning the last running of the rally in 2011, once again behind the wheel of a Tuthill Porsche 911. He will be co-driven by son, Mathias.
As well as his more recent success for Tuthill, Waldegård enjoyed unrivalled success in the late Sixties and Seventies with the Porsche 911, winning the Monte Carlo Rally in both 1969 and 1970.
After leaving the Stuttgart manufacturer, the Swede found success in the World Rally Championship for Ford, winning the inaugural title in 1979 at the wheel of an Escort RS1800.
Following in the wheel tracks of his countryman, Blomqvist was another super Swede on the World Rally scene in the Eighties. Driving the awesome Group B Audi Quattro A2, Blomqvist secured the WRC title in 1984.
Blomqvist’s record on the East African Safari Classic is nearly as impressive, finishing sixth in 2007 and runner-up in 2011. Co-driven by Staffan Parmander, he is likely to provide the biggest challenge to teammate, Waldegård.
Drivers from England, Germany, Belgium, Kenya, Tanzania, and Sweden fill Tuthill’s remaining 15 Porsche 911s, creating an unprecedented 17-car entry from the Oxfordshire-based specialists.
Starting today (21 November) in Mombassa, the 2013 East African Safari Classic takes its competitors through Kenya and Tanzania, comprising over 1,700 kilometres (1,050 miles) of competitive action. The rally will finish on 29 November and Total 911 will be bringing you regular updates along the way.
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