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The Lion Doesn’t Sleep In Camp Tuthill.
For the Tuthill Porsche team it was three weeks of hot work to keep 13 cars and 26 competitors on track.
Around 70 crew members were out in Kenya to oversee the entire 10th Anniversary event. Taking with them some first-time safari-goers, as well as some seasoned professionals and esteemed clients.
Some of our notable drivers who took part in this years event included Patrik Sandell, previously 2006 Junior WRC Champion in our number #4 car. Hoonigans very own Ken Block made his Tuthill debut in car #43.
David Danglard was also back with us for another adventure. David and his navigator Gavin finished 7th out of twenty in their class, and 9th overall.
You can read about David’s previous adventures with us in this piece about his and Susan’s Peking to Paris success back in July 2019.
Welcome To Our American First-Timers.
A warm Tuthill welcome to our American competitors Ken Block and Alex Gelsomino. It was their first time taking part in The EASR. Reality soon hit Ken and his navigator however, when they tallied up the total mileage of the course…
The East African Safari Classic Rally as a singular event is 1133 miles long. This makes it 100 competitive miles longer than the nine events that make up the entire US Rally Championship.
In true Hoonigan style they took to the course with gusto and put their car under solid, testing conditions.
Did this cost them the title fight in the end? Maybe.
If the name Ken Block is completely new to you and you have no idea what a “Hoonigan” is, you can watch more of his YouTube content HERE.
The weather leading up to the event had been incredibly dry, causing the ground to become very hard and unforgiving. Rain ahead of the final day however, created both memorable driving experiences for everyone taking part as well as plenty of jet-washing for Richard!
Many competitors had adversity to overcome at every stage. Punctures, drive-shaft breaks, zebras, hidden pot-holes and motorcycles very quickly became hazards. The general feedback however, is that it has been the best event yet and something all participants will not soon forget.
“The Safari rally is unique, it always has been it always will be. This year was no exception.
The rescheduled date meant the climate was hotter and harsher than ever. Added to this we went North for the first time in a long time. The roads up there are extremely tough!!
Measuring success is of course subjective. But in my mind this year, more than any, was a huge success.
An amazing bunch of clients including many debuting not only in rallying terms but also in safari terms led to a team atmosphere which was very very special.
Second place and 6 cars in the top 10 was quite an achievement and only made possible with a team of crazily great people. Can’t wait till the next one!!”
Richard Tuthill on the East African safari classic rally
How Did It End?
The final results left Patrik Sandell in 2nd place with five other cars finishing in the top 10. We also celebrated a further four finishing in the top 20. An absolutely fantastic result to see so many cars and drivers complete the rally relatively unscathed.
Despite Tuthill Porsche not getting the 1-2-3 podium finish we’d hoped for, the driving experience is second-to-none and cannot be found at any other event in the world!
