Page 33 - EASCR22

Kris Rosenberger and Nicola Bleicher
Kr is R osenber g er and Nicola Bleic her

They surrendered the lead on
the first stage after the rest day,
but their consistent and yet
rapid pace had them back in
front by the end of the day.
Another day of cat and mouse
with the former World Rally
Champion saw Stig lead by just 6
seconds with just two days left
to go. A day later and the
difference was a mere 1 second,
still advantage Stig… and then,
on the opening stage of the
shortened final day,
Rosenberger won his first (and
only) stage. And Stig hit
troubles. The final wining
margin was 1 and a half minutes
t is not often that an unknown arrives in Africa to but this was also the biggest
Icontest arguably the toughest classic rally of them margin between the top two since the rally had
all and then makes it look so easy! But Kris commenced nine days earlier!
Rosenberger is not your normal bucket list gentleman
driver and nor is he really an unknown. No mean feat
To win the Classic is no small achievement but to
In the past four years Kris has won rallies in both overcome the pressure of one of the top Classic Rally
classic and modern Porsches, World Rally Cars and drivers of the moment is mighty impressive.
modern R5 machinery. The 2019 East African Safari
Classic was just another victory during this incredible And now the clock rolls forward to 2022, the tenth
winning streak. Or was it? Back in 1998 Kris edition. To win the Classic is tough, to do it two in a
Rosenberger finished third in the two wheel drive row is almost unheard of… in fact it hasn't been done
category (and eight overall!) on the WRC Safari Rally. since Rob Collinge did the double in 2003 and 2005.
So clearly he had unfinished business with this World Good luck Kris!
Famous event.

First time conqueror!
And he conquered it in style. Cautious
on the opening day in 2019, he
th
finished the first leg down in 4
position. By the end of Day 2, still
having not won a stage, his
consistency had pulled him up to
second overall, a mere 35 second
behind the leading Porsche of Onkar
Rai. By the rest day Kris, and co-driver
Niki Bleicher, were leading by half a
minute, still without a stage win to
their name! But hovering right behind
them was the one and only Stig! (The
real Stig, not the Top Gear wannabe!).

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