Internationally renowned financiers-turned-racecar drivers, Steven Funk and Jean- Louis have entered the East African Classic Safari Rally 2009 under the auspices of Race4Change for the first time to raise funds for local microfinance projects and raise awareness on the fight against poverty.

Driving a powerful 1975 Peugeot 504 coupe V6 rally car the two will be participating in one of the most grueling, roughest road rally in the world during the east Africa classic rally.

Speaking during the press conference at a Nairobi Hotel, Steven Funk, a co-driver and one of the founders of Race4Change said that they are reviving there engines  up in the race to end poverty.                                                   

Race4change an NGO is an initiative of leading poverty fighting organizations in the world, Jamii Bora Trust and Micro credit summit campaign.

Their participation in the East African Classic rally aims at creating awareness about the African Middle East Regional Micro credit Summit to be held in April, 2010 in Nairobi.

"We are racing to end poverty, save lives and raise money to help speed up the race against poverty" Said Funk.                                                                                                                      

Ingrid Munro, Managing Director Jamii Bora said that donors are encouraged to go to WWW.race4change.org and donate whatever they can and join in the race to crush poverty.

The rally, covers 4,500  kilometers and billed as one of the toughest rallies in the world, will be held between November 23rd and 1st of December starting in Mombasa and go through parts of Kenya and Tanzania. 

Funk who has raced in several rallies and motorbike races in the USA and Mexico, says finishing the rally on his debut will be fair achievement.

His participation is part of the preparation for next April's Africa middle-East micro finance summit to be held in Nairobi.

51 entries have been confirmed for the rally which has attracted participants from 18 countries worldwide.