Amos, Ceci brace for brutal battle as Safari Classic title defence takes shape

The East African Safari Classic Rally defending champions, Eugenio Amos and Paolo Ceci, admit that hanging onto their crown will be a tall order when the legendary rally gets underway tomorrow in Diani.

In 2023, Amos kept his cool to clinch the 11th edition of the rally behind the wheel of a Porsche 911, mastering the treacherous terrain to complete the event in 14 hours, 42 minutes and 35.2 seconds.

The Italian duo landed in Kenya early this week, ready for nine punishing days across Africa’s toughest classic rally. For this year's race, they return in a vintage Ferrari 308, a bold switch that adds a layer of intrigue and uncertainty to their title defence.

Fresh from scrutineering their Ferrari 308 at Diamonds Leisure Beach and Golf Resort, the pair begin their campaign not with bravado, but with sober realism and deep respect for the unrelenting challenge ahead.

Amos admitted their mission is steep, stressing that their first hope is simply surviving the charge to the rest day on Day 4.

“We are in a very bizarre position because we are both defending champions, but at the same time, we don’t have the means to be defending champions,” he said.

“Our short-term goal is to get to the rest day in one piece. The long-term goal is to finish the rally in one piece.”

The reigning champion described the build-up to this year's rally as the most unpredictable of his career. “It’s been a year and a half full of emotions, ups and downs. For the first time in my life, I don’t know where we are.

“I have no clue about the performance of the car or how reliable it is. We didn’t get a chance to test or develop it. A year and a half looked like plenty of time, but we had so many issues that we’re here with very little preparation.”

Amos confessed he does not carry the natural swagger of a champion heading into battle, at least not with the switch from Porsche to Ferrari.

“I know both cars. I know the potential of the Porsche, and I know by heart that we are nowhere close to them. So we need to be less quick and far more intelligent. It’s not pedal to the metal, it’s pedal to the brain.”

Looking ahead to the nine-day odyssey, Amos said the terrain will dictate their approach. 

“We have a very tight car that is fast on smooth surfaces. So we will push when it’s smooth and be like a grandpa when it’s rough. The Porsche forgives mistakes, the Ferrari doesn’t. One mistake on the shakedown, and it broke. Last year, we came to Africa to struggle and suffer. This year, we will struggle and suffer even more.”

He also recalled a heart-stopping moment from the last Classic that still lingers: the river crossing that nearly snatched away their dream.

“We were car number two on the stage and assumed the first car had crossed. We took a huge risk, compromised the car, the race and Paolo, who is not a keen swimmer. Those moments stay with you.”

Navigator Paolo Ceci, meanwhile, was delighted to be back on African soil. “For me, this is the best race in the world. I’ve done many races, and I love this one. I’m happy to be here again and to make this project with Eugenio. It’s a difficult project, but I’m confident he can manage the situation, and we have to manage it together.”

Ceci is also relishing the scenic beauty that comes along the rally’s sweeping routes. “No expectations for results. The expectation is the landscape, the country. It is really amazing.”

More than 60 classic cars are entered for this year’s spectacle, including 32 Porsches, 11 Fords (mostly Escorts), nine Datsuns, two Mercedes-Benz SLC 450s, two Opels (a Kadett and a Manta), a Citroën Visa Chrono, a Morgan Plus 8 and the lone Toyota entry—a classic Corolla AE86.