Page 39 - EASCR22

Minti Sports
Mint i Sport s

The team also returns as a three car effort – this time
with rally legend Ian Duncan joining the team!

Ian was originally down to compete in a Datsun 240RS
and spent the whole of 2021 testing and developing this
Group B monster. The car definitely had the pace – back
in April Ian set a fifth fastest overall time against the
modern machinery in the Equator Rally! A lot of Ian Duncan
development work went into the transmission of the car
– an achilles heel when it competed as a works car in
the 1980's – but covid complications getting parts to
Kenya in time for sufficient testing have seen the project
put on hold for the EASC2022. Expect to see Ian and the
Anthony Nielsen
240RS making appearances later in the season though!

Instead, Ian and Anto Nielsen will take to the wheel of
their Rover 3500 for this nine day marathon. The car
proved its pace on the November mini Classic, coming
home a highly competitive second overall despite the
decision to use it only being made 2 days before the Scott Armstrong
start!

The rest of the team is an all Datsun affair, with a pair of
Datsun Violet GTs' for Joey (codriven by Imran Khan) and
Scott Armstrong (codriven by Imrans' brother Frahaaz
Khan!)

The team has recognized that the strength of their
armada of cars and respective driver talents lies with
wet conditions but February is typically hot and rain is
unlikely so the emphasis will be on reliability –
something that did Datsun well in their hey-day. The
target is to have all three cars at the finish inside the top
10.

When asked to pick their tip for the win both Joey and
Scott felt that Ian had a good chance, alongside “Flash”
Tundo or one of the Porsches.

We, separately, asked Scott what keeps bringing him
back to the rally – he worked as a service crew on the
Classic for a number of editions before raising the
budget to first compete in 2017 – and he admits that it
must be a “chemical imbalance” that keeps bringing him
back! He gladly admits that every spare cent he has goes
into the Classic and that there is no logic behind this
drive and determination!

Regardless we are glad to see the team back and thank
Joey, specifically, for his passion and support!

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