Nairobi — Ian Duncan is the overnight leader of the 2009 East African Safari Classic Rally as leading cars reported at the Taita Hill Lodge at the end of three more stages of the competition after the start from the White Sands Hotel in Mombasa.

Duncan's Ford Mustang looked like the only car that did suffer major problems in the stages leading to the end of the action on Day Two.

"We have come through without any major problems, we had a small flat tyre towards the end of the final stage but it did not cost us any loss of time," said Duncan while having lunch at the Taita Hill Lodge.

Duncan said his Good Year-sponsored Ford Mustang felt good and had no major problems to report.

"The car feels heavy and big and always in the "sideways" motion at high speeds. We have put lots of preparations into and hope we can do better than our first event in 2007," commented Duncan.

The former Safari Rally winner was forced out of the 2007 after his Mustang encountered transmission failure while lying third.

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Defending champion and one of the most loved former Safari Rally winners, Bjorn Waldegaard started off badly after the loss of the inter-com device halfway through the opening stage of the competition on Monday.

"I am happy Waldegaard understands hand signs so we were able to maintain our speeds. We also had slow puncture towards the end but nothing major," said Iqbal Sagoo,

Waldegaard's Porsche is placed in the second place followed by another similar car of Gerard Marcy of Belgium in the third place.

Marcy, who has come close to winning the Classic Rally on two previous occasions, suffered a puncture in the first stage of the day which cost him dearly.

"A puncture then something was sounding badly in the rear end. We went off the road and lost about five minutes. We then set fastest time in the next stage which is very good," said Marcy.

Earlier sections have proved tough Marzio Kravos in the massive Mercedes 450SLC.

"It was not ideal by any means. An automatic gearbox, a big car and a sharp bend every 100 metres and it was a lot of work for little progress. Anyway, the car came through OK and we are all ready for those faster stages in the rest of the rally."

They were place 11th overall at the endo SS3 The Renault Alpines are having mixed fortunes on their debut in of the toughest rallies in the world.

Charles Firmenich was pleased with his steady performance.

"Since they softened the suspension on Monday and dropped the tyre pressures, the car is much nicer to drive and I really enjoy it. I don't try too hard and try to be kind to the car so it is kind to me."

However, for Eric Comas, the team boss and driver of the second car it was not so good.

"My car was finished last and was flown out so it has all the latest transmission pieces. My car has some old parts. We broke three drive shafts testing in France and now we have broken another one now in the section."

Comas eventually got his car out of the section and the Comas Racing mechanics hope to have it ready and fit for the morning.