fa c e b o o k . c o m /a n wa r. s i d i
RALLY BULLETIN
September 2015 | ISSUE NO. 100
Milestone: The Sidis 100th Issue
1 Send it for Sidis!
SEPTEMBER 2015 | ISSUE NO. 100 RALLY BULLETIN
1986 Rift 300 Rally, Nakuru
GREG CRITICOS’S GRAND FINALE
G
reg Criticos swept a richly deserved victory in the Rift 300 Rally, capping a season in which he has scored no fewer than eight second places in his Lancia 037. The year has, of course, been utterly dominated by Vic Preston Jr with a record-breaking 10 wins. He did not enter the Rift 300 Rally because, following Massimo Biason’s write –off crash in Lancia’s first Safari practice, Junior’s car is now too precious to the Italian team’s Safari preparations to it on a relatively minor Kenyan event. ‘Of course it’s a good feeling to win at last, ‘said Greg, who has tallied twice as many points as most former championship winners yet still has to be content with runner-up spot. ‘But most of all it has served to show us how much we have still got to learn. We had absolutely no idea how to pace ourselves at the front, or how and when to ease up by the right amount when victory was in the bag. ’Look at that, ‘he said, pointing to the huge 27-minute lead over second placed Ashok Patel ‘s Nissan HA10. ‘That’s not impressive. It’s dumb!-1986 AUTONEWS ©Anwar Sidi Photography 2015
TIMSALES LIMITED HEAD OFFICE / FACTORY: P.O BOX 12 - 20102 NJORO-MOLO ROAD, ELBURGON, KENYA TEL: (020) 3569291, 3573136, 2034198 FAX: (020) 2034206 MOBILE: 0733 410 009, 0733 123 200 0722 205 919, 0723 945 279 Email: elburgon@timsales.com
NAIROBI BRANCH
P.O BOX 18080 - 00500 ENTERPRISE ROAD, INDUSTRIAL AREA NAIROBI KENYA TEL: (020) 6532277 / 6532684, (020) 2325621/2325598 FAX: (020) 558979, Email: nairobi@timsales.com Mobile: 0733 333307, 0737 410007 0722 206 961, 0774 188579
Website: www.timsales.com
MANUFACTURERS & DISTRIBUTORS OF: • PLY WOOD • MELAMINE/PVC EDGE BINDINGS • MELAMINE LAMINATED MDF/CHIPBOARDS • MEDIUM DENSITY FIBRE-BOARDS(MDF) • BLOCK BOARDS • TREATED TRANSMISSION POLES • PRE-FABRICATED HOUSES • SOFTBOARDS • HARDBOARDS • DOORS • SOFTWOODS • HARDWOODS • MACHINED TIMBER • VENEER PLYWOODS • CHIPBOARDS • VENEER BLOCK BOARDS • FORMICA • KITCHENS, WARDROBES & OFFICE FURNITURE • FLOORING TILES AND BLOCKS • LAMINATED HDF FLOORING • ONE SHOT U/F GLUE POWDER • HUSQVARNA CHAINSAWS & GENUINE PARTS • MAHINDRA TRACTORS
3
SEPTEMBER 2015 | ISSUE NO. 100 RALLY BULLETIN
PHOTOGRAPHY: ANWAR SIDI
For the Sidis Brothers,Abdul, Anwar and Asgar, it was no different as capturing good photos could not be comprised with cold nights and in dark isolated places. It was fun all the way despite the challenges.
4
SEPTEMBER 2015 | ISSUE NO. 100 RALLY BULLETIN
Milestone: The Sidis 100th Issue
D
espite the many challenges that have occurred since we made our debut in print business, we’re still going strong, as this 100th issue testifies! Such an achievement is impressive for any publication, but is especially noteworthy given the amount of fervor this Bulletin has created in local racing circles and across the East African region. Our first Bulletin was unveiled on the occasion of the Shell Helix Nakuru Rally 2001. As I was seated in my office perusing my Bulletin archives, it reminded me of the sites and sounds of countryside beautyhere we are for the umpteenth time delivering another copy of this informative and innovative publication in Nakuru where the idea was conceived. We sincerely salute various corporate supporters; individuals and wellwishers who have helped us come this far. DT Dobie who became title sponsors in 2003, Dalbit Petroleum, Libya Oil Kenya Ltd, ALS, Triton Petroleum and many more have been instrumental in our success. The concept to run this Bulletin was borrowed from seasoned motoring journalist Martin Holmes who ran a similar publication way back in the WRC Safari days. From then on, we have never looked back and it’s been onwards and onwards! Our first issues were published in a haste and carried many typos! But as the old Chinese adage goes-a 1000miles journey begins with one step. The most gratifying aspect of this milestone which spans nearly one and half decades is the fact the Bulletin has given us the energy and gusto to review events, compile necessary historic data, deliver key spectator safety info, guide them accordingly on directions and schedule through Google maps, itinerary and previews of various KNRC events. This milestone could hardly come to fruition if it weren’t for my two siblings Abdul and Asgar who have seen rallying technology morph through different guises. We, the Sidis, have been instrumental in structuring the editorial format, graphic design, writing—almost all aspects of the sport and running a magazine. Bizone have been spot-on in helping us realize our dream. We promise to get bigger and better in our reportage vies avis the images we capture from the most remote regions of the rally location. Enjoy this read and have an enjoyable Nakuru Rally. God Bless! Yours Truly Anwar Sidi, Photographer
5
SEPTEMBER 2015 | ISSUE NO. 100 RALLY BULLETIN
PHOTOGRAPHY: ANWAR SIDI
Billy Choda & Jimmy Kenth (L) in their Nissan HA10 during the 1985 Sanyo 2000 Rally.
Onwards and onwards for Nakuru Rally
N
akuru Rally is a motor sport event organised each year by the Rift Valley Motor & Sports Club (RVM&SC). Its indeed one of the oldest and most prestigious rounds on the Kenya National Rally Championship calendar with some of the best routes, the best notes, the best hospitality and very friendly people. The event is associated with historic terrains synonymous with World Rally Championship Safari Rally. LEGENDARY NAMES The “roll of honour” for Nakuru has been a composition of legendary names which include the likes Vic Preston Jnr. in 1985, the late Johnny Hellier the year, Ian Duncan, Patrick Njiru, JT and Sarbi Rai just to name but a few. Five times Safari Rally winner Shekhar Mehta won the Rift 300 Rally in 1985 with the only major threat to his supremacy coming from his own back wheels. A new suspension and a more powerful engine in his Nissan 240RS made the tail of the car rather twitchy. This could have cost him the event had the opposition been there. But the two full works rivals-Vic Preston Jnr. in a Lancia
6
037 and Mike Kirkland in another 240RS both retired before Mehta’s woes started. A FAMILY AFFAIR On sundry occasions, Nakuru has also demonstrated the potential of second generation racers. When youngster Rajbir Rai took to the treacherous course in Eldama Ravine last year, little did know that he’ll be the one creating history. Not only did the Rai Racing speed merchant join the list of KNRC Nakuru Rally past winners, but also become one of the few sons following in their father’s wheel tracks. Sarbi Rai (Team Principal of Rai Racing) won it in 1993 navigated by Supee Soin (current KMSF Rallies Commission Chairman) in a Toyota Celica GT4. Rob Hellier won this event in 2002 in a Mitsubishi EVO III emulating his dad’s feat of 1986 when the late Johnny did it in a Lancia Rallye 037. In 1978, Frank Tundo emerged the victor in a Ford Escort, with his son “Flash” racking up three wins in 2004 in a Subaru Impreza, 2007 in a similar make and 2012 in an EVO9. RALLY RENAMED
Nakuru Rally has been renamed severally to accommodate corporate sponsors. The Rally used to be known as Sanyo 2000 in the 1980/90s before it was renamed to Shell Oils Rift 300 Rally, Shell Helix Ultra Nakuru Rally. Nakuru has enjoyed KCB livery from 2005 to date. NOT HELD The Rally wasn’t held in 1998 and 2000. Ian Duncan and Salim Haji emerged the winners in 2001 in the crowd-pleasing Toyota Land-Cruiser pick up.
SEPTEMBER 2015 | ISSUE NO. 100 RALLY BULLETIN
Azar Anwar/Surinder Thatti-Datsun 160J
PAST WINNERS-NAKURU RALLY 1978: Frank Tundo (Ford Escort) 1985: Vic Preston Jnr (Lancia Rallye 037) 1986: Johnny Hellier (Lancia Rallye 037) 1987: Ian Duncan (Toyota Twin Cam Turbo) 1988: Johnny Hillier (Ford Escort Cosworth) 1989: Ian Duncan (Toyota Twin Cam Turbo) 1990: Patrick Njiru (Subaru Legacy) 1991: Ian Duncan (Subaru Legacy) 1992: Jonathan Toroitich (Toyota Celica GT4) 1993: Sarbi Rai (Toyota Celica GT4) Name of Rally: Sanyo 21st Rally 1994: Azar Anwar/Shailen Shah (Subaru Legacy) Name of Rally: Sanyo Rally 1995: Ian Duncan (Toyota Celica Turbo) Total Entries: 23 Name of Rally: Sanyo Rally 1995 1996: Patrick Njiru (Subaru Impreza) Name of Rally: Toyota Kenya 500 Rally 1997: Nazir Verjee/Peter Stone (Subaru Impreza) Supi Soin/Sarbi Rai Toyota Celica Turbo
Name of Rally: Toyota Kenya 500 Rally 1998: NOT HELD 1999: Ian Duncan (Toyota Land-Cruiser pick up) Name of Rally: Shell Oils Rift 300 Rally 2000: NOT HELD 2001: Ian Duncan/Salim Haji (Toyota Land-Cruiser pick up) Name of Rally: Shell Helix Ultra Nakuru Rally 2002: Rob Hellier (Mitsubishi EVO III) 2003: Lee Rose (Mitsubishi EVO IV) 2004: Carl Tundo (Subaru Impreza) 2005: Glen Edmunds (Mitsubishi EVO 6) 2006: Ian Duncan (Toyota Hilux Turbo) 2007: Carl Tundo (Subaru Impreza) 2008: Baldev Chager 2009: Lee Rose (EVO9) 2010: Alastair Cavenagh (EVO9) 2011: Ian Duncan (EVO9) 2012: Carl Tundo (EVO9) 2013: Ian Duncan (EVO9) 2014:Rajbir Rai
Vic Preston Jnr
Ebrahim Chobe/Jonathan Torotich Toyota Celica Turbo
Manufacturers of Quality Plywood MDF Boards Chipboards Pre Laminated Boards Power Transmission Poles Block Boards Flush Doors Timber Products
Jim Heather Hayes/Anton Leviton-Subaru RX Turbo
CONTACT DETAILS PO BOX 14663 -20100 NAKURU -KENYA TEL : +254-051-2210841/2 FAX : +254-051-2217378 MOBILE :+254-722 205820/ +254 733 410 055 WIRELESS :+254 -20 8001512/3 E MAIL :sales@complyindustries.com
www.complyindustries.com 7
SEPTEMBER 2015 | ISSUE NO. 100 RALLY BULLETIN
FOCUS ON NAKURU COUNTY
Promoting tourist destinations through sports
B
eing one of the fastest growing counties in Kenya presently, Nakuru is uniquely located within the Great Rift Valley tourism circuit and attracts thousands of sports related visitors annually (visit www. visitnakuru.com). The famed Lake Nakuru still forms part of the Rift Valley tourist circuit. Flamingoes form a major tourist spectacle on Lake Nakuru. Sports tourism is a huge and growing global industry with important implications for sports, the impact of travel and tourism related benefits on host destinations. Sporting events in Nakuru County have from time immemorial provided the host community with an opportunity to secure high prominence in the Kenyan tourism market place. Corporate sponsorships from companies like Nation Media Group, Menengai Oil Refineries, Keroche Breweries, KCB, Kenya Airways etc have also played a key role in boosting sports tourism. Hospitality players are incidentally the biggest beneficiaries of this market with thousands of sports visitors flocking the County year in year out and occupying hotel beds. Communities in Nakuru are attracted to hosting sporting events to draw market benefits that
contribute immensely to the economy of the County. Sports tourism in Nakuru isn’t just an experience of sports activities-”it forms a distinct culture of a destination”. Sporting events like rugby, Rally-sport, schools’ games KECOSO - just to name but a few-have become the most common channels through which visitors satisfy their desires to sample foods and hospitality joints. Olympians Elisha Kasuku and the legendary John Waruinge, four times Safari Rally winner Carl “Flash” Tundo and pro golfer Richard Ainley are some of the most celebrated sports personalities from Nakuru County. In 2002, Ainley had the honour to play a practice round with two former world number one golfers Tiger Woods from the US and Vijay Singh from Fiji in the Buick Invitational in Detroit. Waruinge is one the most decorated boxer in the history of Kenyan boxing. His achievements include a bronze medal and a silver medal at the Olympics along with a gold medal at the commonwealth games. Waruinge was a product of Nakuru boxing club which in the 1960s and 70s produced several exceptionally talented and world beating boxers like Steven Muchoki. Waruinge, a stylish featherweight boxer of yore, won Kenya’s first ever Commonwealth Games boxing gold medal. Local professional golfer, Kasuku, who is a former race walker for Kenya and Olympian is the only Kenyan to-date to have played in the
Patric Njiru-Subaru RX Turbo
British Open golf championship better know as “The Open”. One of Kenya’s fastest rising rally youngsters Onkar Singh Rai won the KNRC Division 2 in 2011 in Baldev Chager’s KNRC championship winning Subaru N12. Nakuru County boasts of some of the oldest pre and post independence sporting facilities like the famous Madison Square Garden, the home of Nakuru amateur boxing club, Rift Valley Sports Club which was started in 1907 by a few Englishmen after the arrival of the Railway in Nakuru Town and Nakuru Golf Club situated on the slopes of Menengai Crater and ceremoniously opened on February 23 1929 by Lord Francis Scott. Nakuru once had Africa’s first motorsport racetrack at Langa Langa on the foothills of Menengai Crater. Currently “Solai Clubhouse” in Maili Sita, houses Rift Valley Motor & Sports Club. RVM&SC clubhouse boasts of Kenya’s longest (600m) asphalt racetracks synonymous with the karting championship. RVM&SC recently built a motocross track and hosts some rounds of the Kenya National Motocross Championship. The Great Rift Valley Lodge & Golf Resort in Naivasha was voted the leading golf resort in Kenya at the World Travel Awards 2010 in Johannesburg on 7th July that year. The Resort played host to the 15th East Africa Challenge Golf Championship sponsored by Keroche Breweries.
Ian Duncan-Opel Manta 400 Philip Wairunge
Prominent sportsmen and women from Nakuru County ATHLETICS 1. Robert Biwott (2013 World Youth Championship in Ukrain) 2. Alex Sampao (member of the 2015 All Africa Games team Congo, Brazaville) 3. Richard Kimunyan (gold medallist 3000m flat world Youth championship) 4. Faith Chepngetich (silver medallist World Athletics Championships) MOTORSPORT: 1. Frank Tundo (the guru of motor racing in RV/started his racing career in 1972 and won Nakuru Rally in 1978) 2. Carl Tundo (3 times Kenya Champion/Four times Safari Rally winner) 3. Natasha Tundo (Top lady driver
8
from Nakuru) 4. Lee Rose (former Kenya Rally Champion) 5. John Rose (Veteran of Safari Rally) 6. Onkar Sing Rai (former KNRC Division 2 Champion & Managing Director of Menengai Oil Refinery) 7. Ashok Patel ( The only driver to disrupt the Lancia 037’s of Vic Preston & Greg Criticos in the late 80’s) GOLF 1. Elisha Kasuku (Retired athlete/ Olympian/pro golfer/only Kenyan pro to play in the British Open at St. Andrews) 2. Richard Ainley (Leading professional golfer in Kenya who played alongside Tiger Woods) 3. James Lorum (resident pro
-Nakuru Golf Club) 4. Justus Madoya (Leading GOTY amateur golfer based in Great Rift Resort, Naivasha/national team player) 5. Josephine Ainley (National women’s golf team) BOXING 1. Philip Waruinge (Olympian/ retired boxer/ bronze medallist at the Mexico City Olympics (1968) losing 2:3 to local Antonio Roldan and awarded the Val Barker Trophy for Outstanding Boxer at the 1968 Olympic Games. Waruinge captured silver in 1972 in Munich, West Germany). 2. George Findo 3. Mwangi Muthee “Carlos” 4. Steve Gacheru (retired boxer &
former Telkom coach) 5. Daniel “DK” Kamau (Gold medallist 1987 4th All Africa Games in Nairobi/lives in the US) 6. Peter “Dynamite” Odhiambo 7. Daniel Mwangi 8. Sammy “Teacher” Mwangi 9. George “Kidi” Onyango 10. John “Soldier” Ochieng 11. Mwangi Muthoga “Don King” (Retired boxer/AIBA Referee-judge) 12. Stephen Muchoki (only Kenyan boxer to win an AIBA World Championship medal) HOCKEY 1.Zack Aura (Kenya international/ Nakuru Athletic Club and Armed Forces team) CRICKET 1. Qunta Aoko (2015 women’s national
SEPTEMBER 2015 | ISSUE NO. 100 RALLY BULLETIN
Ashok Patel
Shekhar Mehta-Nissan 240RS
Richard Ainley
club ground has hosted many High profile cricket games including a game featuring Rift Valley Cricket Association XI v Minor Counties of England. The Club has also a field hockey team playing in the National League. Under the colonial rule, indigenous Kenyans were barred from Nakuru Athletic Club. Thus they were using the “African Sports Stadium,” now known as Afraha Stadium. 6. Nakuru Golf Club 7. Madison Square Garden-Nakuru (boxing) 8. Oserian Stadium Naivasha 9. Great Rift Valley Lodge & Golf Resort
Top Fry Nakuru Rugby players
team member) 2. Daisy (2015 women’s national team member) TABLE TENNIS 1. Mariga Mwangi (Retired Kenya National team player/played for KPA Msa for many years/Vice Chairman KTTA) 2. Moses Maina (Retired National Team Player) 3. George Mudiri (Retired national team player) 4. Ruth Behal (Former Kenya No. 1 women’s player) 5. Isaac Mbote (later became a boxing official) RUGBY 1. Vincent Mose (Former Nakuru RFC and Kenya 15s team full back) 2. Edwin Shimenga (Former Nakuru RFC and Kenya 15s team full back) 3. Gibson Weru (Former World Rugby 7s international)
FOOTBALL 1. John “Mo” Muiruri (Harambee Stars/Tusker FC) 2. Hilary Echesa (Harambee Stars/ Sofapaka/Nakuru All Stars) 3. Mulinge Ndeto (Defender Harambee Stars & Ulinzi) Key Sporting Events in Nakuru 1. KCB Nakuru Rally 2. Top Fry Prinsloo Sevens rugby tournament 3. Great Rift Rugby 4. Kenya Airways Golf Safari 2015 (Nakuru Golf Club) 5. National Boxing League (Nakuru Amateur Boxing Club-Madison Square Garden) 6. Stanchat Odyssey Cycling (Gilgil/ Naivasha) Teams from Nakuru County 1. Nakuru Athletic Club (Hockey) 2. Nakuru RFC “Wanyore” (Rugby) 3. Nakuru All Stars (Football)
4. Ulinzi Stars (Football) 5. Oserian (Football -Naivasha) Sporting Facilities in Nakuru County 1. Afraha Stadium 2. Rift Valley Sports Club 3. Rift Valley Motor & Sports Club (RVM&SC)- “Solai clubhouse” karting and motocross racetracks” 4. Nakuru Athletic Club: The Nakuru Athletic Club is also home ground for Nakuru RFC, a local rugby union team. Nakuru’s football team, Nakuru All Stars, who previously played in the FKF Nationwide Division, has some their training sessions at Nakuru Athletic Ground. 5. Rift valley Sports Club: This is a historical sports club located in Nakuru county. The club also has a cricket team playing in the Rift Valley cricket league. The
Great Rift Valley Lodge enjoys one of humankind’s oldest views – over the sweeping floor of the world’s largest valley and hosts one of the most scenic 18-hole championship golf course in Kenya. Location: An hour and a half’s drive or a 30-minute flight from Nairobi (24 kilometres from Naivasha town and 12 off the Nairobi-Nakuru highway), the Lodge is built on the Eburru, a mountain that the Maasai call Ol Donyo Opurru, meaning mountain of smoke. The lodge sits at about 7,000 feet, from which elevation it enjoys magnificent views to the west and east. The vistas stretch from the sparkling waters of Lake Naivasha to the jagged volcanic crater of Mount Longonot and, beyond, the sloping shoulders of the Aberdare Mountains – Kenya’s most important watershed. The Great Rift Valley Lodge has been awarded the Trip Advisor Certificate of Excellence. The accolade, which honours hospitality excellence, is given only to establishments that consistently achieve outstanding traveller reviews on TripAdvisor.
9
SEPTEMBER 2015 | ISSUE NO. 100 RALLY BULLETIN
THE GREATEST RACE IN TOWN THE ROUTE: Nakuru Rally 2015 will be flagged off outside the KCB Menengai branch at 7:00am on Saturday, September 5. The first 5 cars at the ceremonial start will be flagged off at 3mins intervals with the rest revving off at 1 minute intervals. Thereafter, crews will endure a 48kms transport road section through to Hilltop which is the first stage (12kms). Another 6kms of liaison distance will precede the 50km Mugurin stage which is indeed the longest on the itinerary. Then a further 48km of transport mileage will lead the rally traffic to the 1.70km spectator stage and into first
service at Menengai West. This loop will be repeated but not until Gicheha and T Farm are run once in between. Five competitive stages (3 to be repeated) around Alfega, T Farm, Molosirwa, Gicheha Farm and Hilltop regions will be run for a total of 8. The Spectator Stage, Media Centre, Rally HQs and Service Park will be centred at Albiza Camp in Menengai. Prize Giving for the event will be held in front of the Rally HQs at Albiza from 4:00pm onwards although the finish for the first car is at 1.25pm. Scrutineering will be hosted by Shell Hyrax Petrol Station at the Nyahururu junction.
Waigwa Murage-Subaru
Manvir Baryani
KCB NAKURU RALLY 2015 " " $ $
$
! #$
# $ $ #$ #$
$ " $ $
9: " 8 25
# $%" ) :1 #/7:/4,/8 " #
Eric Bengi-Toyota Runx
(1(-/.+&, !2&12 # # +,,2/0 233:67 #:+8: 233:67 5. " $ " % * % #$ $ ($ " % " 3)31+. # ;0;825 #:+8: 636928</ 5. " !0('2&2/1 !2&)( # #7/-:+:68 #:+0/ #:+8: #7/-:+:68 #:+0/ 5. !(14+'( # "& ' #$ !(14+'( #" " % * ! $ $ "# % #$ $ ($ " % " +'*(*& # 2-1/1+ #:+8: 2-1/1+ 5. " " &1 # $ +84 #:+8: $ +84 5. !(14+'( # "& ' #$ !(14+'( #" " % * ! $ $ "# % #$ $ ($ " % " +,,2/0 # 233:67 #:+8: 233:67 5. % " $ " % * #$ $ ($ " % " 3)31+. # ;0;825 #:+8: 636928</ 5. " !0('2&2/1 !2&)( # #7/-:+:68 #:+0/ #:+8: #7/-:+:68 #:+0/ 5. !(14+'( # "& ' #$ !(14+'( #" &1' (1-( % % $ & $ $ # #
10
259
259
259
S E C T I O N 1
S E C T I O N 2
S E C T I O N 3
LATENESS Any lateness exceeding 15 minutes on any individual target time or an accumulative lateness exceeding 30 minutes at the end of each section. Early arrival shall under no circumstances permit crews to reduce the lateness. Any crew reporting more than 15 minutes late at the start of a section shall not be allowed to start that section.
SEPTEMBER 2015 | ISSUE NO. 100 RALLY BULLETIN
Tasha Tundo-Subaru Impreza
Sammy Nyorri-Runx
Rajbir Rai-Ford Fiesta
11
SEPTEMBER 2015 | ISSUE NO. 100 RALLY BULLETIN
Tapio Laukannen/Pasi Torma-Subaru Impreza
FLYING FINN RULES THE ROOST ON KNRC FRONT
F
ormer British and Finland champion Tapio Laukkanen’s pace on the R4 Subaru Impreza GVB 13 hasn’t only been blistering, but the only reason the country’s top guns have had to pull their socks. Who could actually forget how aggressive Tapio was when he demolished the Kenyan brigade with a massive 5 minutes on the last day of Safari, only to retire at the remote service point due to a service error. CANE-FIELD TUSSLE But Tapio made his intentions clear during the season opener in Kisumu county where he
led from start to finish on the expansive canefield stages of Chemelil and Chemase regions of the lakeside. Tapio- who is tackling the full KNRC season of KNRC on MRT Racing livery- made history as the first Fin to win a round of KNRC years after his compatriot and legendary Juha Kankkunen first did it during WRC Safari Rally back in the days. Home driver Jassi Chatthe finished in second spot apparently 54secs adrift with Onkar Rai sealing the breathtaking podium dash incidentally 2.53minutes behind the winner. Defending Champion Baldev Singh Chager staged a stunning fightback from a disappointing sev-
Onkar Rai-Mitsubishi Evo 10
12
enth in the fourth stage to a credible fourth just as the lakeside dust finally settled. Chager had dipped to the initial seventh spot what with an excruciating puncture which stymied what earlier appeared to be a podium. Manvir Baryan of MRT also made history by being the first ever Kenyan to bring back a Ford Fiesta R5 to the finish ramp after the other Fiesta of Rajbir Rai rolled out. Driving the R5 for the first time, Manvir was motoring steadily on the stages clocking a cumulative total of 1h31m22s. As proceedings wore on, the Equator Motor Club (EMC) round proved quite unforgiving to some top drivers. Liquid Petroleum/Xado sponsored Ian Duncan became the first major casualty on the first loop with gearbox woes on his Hilux pickup. The six time Kenya Champion kissed the lakeside tour goodbye on the second section at Simba. Protons S2000 drivers had to contend with reliability gremlins yet again albeit a spirited morning run on the Chemelil/Miwani cane-field stages. Both Protons were out of the rally. Cavenagh had transmission failure while Carl Tundo’s car broke a brake pipe which was fixed in the stage but it refused to start. 63RD SAFARI DRAMA Thirty five year old Chatthe navigated by fellow Singh co-driver Gugu Panesar in a Mitsubishi Lancer EvolutionX entered his name in the annals of Kenyan motorsports history with victory in the 63rd edition Safari Rally in Machakos, Laikipia and Meru counties This was in fact Chatthe’s second win in a trot for an R4 this season, a clear indication that state-ofthe-art technology is at its heights. Safari feat was Chatthe’s third career win after similar victories were achieved in the ARC round of Tanzania and Nanyuki Rally last year.
SEPTEMBER 2015 | ISSUE NO. 100 RALLY BULLETIN
OVERALL STANDINGS AFTER MACHAKOS 1. Jassi Chatthe (Team Kibos) 128.5points 2. Tapio Laukkanen (MRT) 83 3. Baldev Chager (Kabras Sugar Racing) 82.5 2WD STANDINGS 1. Eric Bengi 112.5 2. Leo Varese 104.5
Jas Mangat-Mitsubishi Evo 10
Tapio Laukannen and Pasi Torma
Chatthe who is being serviced by the MML Sport from the UK achieved the feat what with a fierce battle with Duncan in the last two stages around Kibirichia and Meru Forest. All in all, Chatthe had his campaign effectively sewn up when two day leader Tapio retired as a result of a service error which saw his crew fail to arrive at the Loldaiga remote service in time. Safari victory earned Chatthe the title of the fourth “Flying Singh” after the legendary Joginder Singh, Sarbi Rai and Baldev Chager who won two back to back Safaris in 2013 and 2014. Of the foursome, incidentally, only Sarbi is yet to win the Sa-
fari. Second overall was Duncan who on his maiden outing with a Liquid Telecom EVOX lost the Safari by a mere 13seconds. Duncan who has won the Safari once in 1994 when it counted towards the World rally Championship (WRC) failed to break the 21 year jinx and watched helplessly as the coveted title eluded him for the umpteenth time. “I gave it my all in the last two stages but still found Chatthe going quite quick,” said Duncan who drove Nissan Patrol pickup in Kisumu. Carl “Flash” Tundo in a Proton Neo Satria S2000 settled for third position. Fourth was Chager who >>>
13
SEPTEMBER 2015 | ISSUE NO. 100 RALLY BULLETIN
Raaji Bharij/Jasneil Gataure-Mitsubishi Evo 10 >>> failed in his attempt to clinch a hattrick of Safari wins. Chatthe’s navigator who is also a Kisumu resident was all smiles: “We have had a good drive together. We would like to thank MML Sport from UK for offering us good technical support and of course our local mechanic Mike Mwangi. The last two stage were good but again it was really tight with Ian. Kabirichia we took it kind of easy but attacked Meru Forest and we are happy to bring the car back in one piece,” said Gugu. DUNCAN RULES KAJIADO TOUR Duncan teaming up with by Kavit Dave for the first time in a Liquid Telecom Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution 10 emerged the winner of KCB Kajiado Rally which culminated in at the Athi River Quarry super special. This went down as Duncan’s first victory of he season barely six months after he won last year’s season-closing Guru Nanak Rally in his Nissan Patrol pickup. But Duncan had to contend with playing second fiddle to Chatthe who consolidated his lead on the KNRC log. After three rounds, Chatthe led the KNRC log with 76.5 points ahead of Duncan on 56.5points. Rajbir, son of legendary two times Kenya Champion Sarbi Rai, was the biggest mover on KNRC standings from 9th to third position with 39 points. Eric Bengi won 2WD in 8th overall position while Murage Wa Waigwa claimed the KNRC S Class honours in 9th overall position. Podium finishers Duncan, Rajbir and Chatthe were gifted by withdrawals of top drivers including Tapio, Alastair Cavenagh,
14
the Tundos -Tash, Frank and Carl, Jonathan Somen, Quentin Mitchell, Baldev Chager and the Rais-Tejveer and Onkar who withdrew after Friday’s reconnaissance citing impassable waterlogged roads. Organisers KMSC resorted to Jansher Sandu alternative newer routes and extended the event’s programme by a day which didn’t augur well with some drivers. The leaderboard in Kajiado exchanged hands thrice, but only just in the initial stages. Rajbir Rai opened a 15 seconds lead after CS1 Isinya stage but this was short-lived when Duncan took over the lead on CS2 and clung onto to it through to CS3. Raaji Bharij was ahead of the pack in the next two stages on CS4 and CS5 before Duncan bounced back on CS6 to recapture lead through to the very end. JASSI BEST IN TAVETA ARC leader and 2015 Safari Rally winner Chatthe chalked up his second win of the season as at halfway stage on Rukinga Ranch in Taita Taveta county. The win saw Chatthe consolidate his lead on the KNRC with four more rallies left. Chatthe rallied from the tenth position on the first stage at Voi Stadium super special to pull through with 33seconds advantage off defending champion Baldev Chager. Leonardo Varese won the 2WD class in Voi after his race adversaries Eric Bengi, Alex Lairang’I and Sammy Nyorri fell by the wayside. Voi, however fast it may have been turned out to be a rally of attrition and a real scare
for crews. TAPIO WINS AGAIN Just as gremlins appeared to take toll on the man to beat,the Flying Finn took a convincing victory in Eldoret 2015 after leading from start to finish. He actually vanquished Kenyan youngster Rajbir Rai by a 2minutes 55seconds margin to make up for months of misfortune while former Ugandan champion Jas Mangat sealed the poium dash incidentally 3:52 minutes behind the winner. “I mean the whole day we had some issues with our engine which was not running with full power. So at the begining I was a bit worried-but getting to the finish with a good result after some scares is always a good feeling. The roads are slightly rougher than what we have in Europe and Group Ns are not good on this types of roads,” said Tapio who was navigated by Pasi Torma in an R4 Subaru. Tapio opened a 14 second cushion after the first run of the 40km Kispsaos-Kimwarer stage but the lead over Rajbir was reduced to a mere 2 second when Tapio punctured on Flourspar
SEPTEMBER 2015 | ISSUE NO. 100 RALLY BULLETIN
stage. “We drove only 2kms after we picked up a front left puncture on the initial run of Flourspar luckyly we didn’t lose so much time,” added Tapio. Rajbir admitted getting the hang of the Ford Fiesta R5 which made way into Kenya roads in earlier in the year. “We are getting better and better by event so we will see if we can keep the pace. We have three events left so let’s see how it goes,” said Rajbir. Tapio won five out of six stages in Eldoret with Rajbir winning the initial run at Flourspar. Quentin Mitchell finished fourth while KNRC leader Japreet Chatthe was fifth. Carl Tundo finished 6th followed by Manvir Baryan and defending champion Baldev Chager who finished 8th. Chager had his run frustrated by two punctures on the Flourspar stage
while Tundo lost the intercooler going into the second loop. Eric Bengi won the 2WD Class in 19th overall position while Farhaaz Khan won the Divsion 1 class in 13th. Jansher Sandhu won divison three in 11th overall position with Dennis Mwenda winning Division 2. TAPIO LIGHTS UP MASAKU Tapio registered his third win of the season in Machakos to leapfrog to second place on the log. But Kisumu’s Chatthe closed in on a maiden KNRC diadem considering that he only needs a top 8 finish. Tapio racked up his third win of the season after beating Flash and Boldy to the podium dash. Boldy was quite aggressive in Machakos though but lost second place to Tundo by a mere 9 seconds after spinnig off in the last stage.
Quentin Mitchell-Skoda S2000
Tundo drove Tejveer Rai’s EVOX, his first ever experience on the make. Its been an exciting season thus far, but the truth of matter is Tapio continues calling the shots and stretches Kenyan big guns to their limits. Regardless of what Tapio does in the remaining two rallies, all Chatthe has to do is finish in the top-8 of the Nakuru Rally to take the crown. Failing ro do so Chatthe will need to go to Guru Nanak Rally to clinch it on homestretch. Chatthe needs 4.5points to seal the title. Eighth place in a KNRC event awards 6 points but ninth will give him 4 points which not be enough to secure his much awaited title success. Chatthe maintains the lead of the championship with 128.5 pts. Tapio’s win saw him jump from sixth to second on the KNRC log with 83 points. Chager drops to third on 81. Eric Bengi navigated by Tony Gikuhi in a Toyota RunX clinched a rare double in winning the 2WD and KNRC Division 2 classes in Machakos. “We are very happy today (Saturday) to win both the 2WD and Division 2 categories. To be very honest, the Division 2 success has come as a pleasant surprise to us. As a bonus, we have also won the 2WD stage prize as well as the best Club performer cash prize. It is a very hilarious moment. We thank the almighty and all who have made it possible, the organisers as well as our support team and the amazing cheering squad-it hasn’t sunk in yet!! Bengi said.
Suppliers and distributors of all rally equipment, parts & accessories. Sole distributors for Yokohama Rally Tyres, OZ Racing Rims, Kumho Rally Tyres and Sabelt Safety Equipment.
Motorsport Warehouse Ltd, P.O. Box 83225 - 80100, Mombasa, Kenya. Mob: +254 731 698 261 Email: sales@msw.co.ke
KUMHO Hard Compound available for Rim 14 & 15
Group Page: www.facebook.com/groups/motorsportwarehousekenya fan Page: www.facebook.com/MotorsportWarehouseKenya
“Congratulations on your 100th Issue” 15
SEPTEMBER 2015 | ISSUE NO. 100 RALLY BULLETIN
16