Anwar sidi bulletin 102

fa c e b o o k . c o m /a n wa r. s i d i

June2016 | ISSUE NO. 102

Chatthe savors rare success Chager charges to victory as Tapio stumbles in lakeside Eric Bengi extends his lead in the F2 Championship Kenya’s Smith hopes for the best from East Africa region

Safari Rally 2016 1 Send it for Sidis!

June 2016 | ISSUE NO. 102

Safari route

By Abdul Sidi

T

he 2016 KCB Safari Rally is set to take off from the Kenyatta International Conference Centre for the beginning of the three-day action. The premier round of the series will have a total of seven competitive stages.

The Soysambu/Lake End section will be done twice, while the Lodge/ Lodge Stage will be done three times. The Jolai/Milia section will be tackled once.

The longest competitive stage will be 48.83 kms while the shortest will be one kilometer long. The rally itself will be 539 kilometers long of which 240 will be total competitive distance.

For the second-year-running, the Safari Rally will not be part of the familiar round of the FIA African Rally Championship. It also ceased to be part of the World Rally Championship since 2003.

This year’s event will be the shortest in its long history.

Ian Duncan, the former Safari Rally winner, who was forced to withdraw from the Kisumu Rally due to sickness, will return to action in the Safari Rally after that mishap. “I feel good and ready to take part in the Safari Rally.

It is unfortunate that the rally has lost all the past glamour and glory with no international status. Lot has to be done to return to ARC first though, the Continental series has also to improve on its reputation and status to attract more African countries,’’ said Duncan. According to Duncan, the Safari Rally has to spread its wings outside one particular area to attract more foreign drivers and also protect the rally cars, though it is becoming difficult to get closed stages. However he said it is good that the rally will start and finish at the KICC, which will bring back some of the memories from the past. Duncan’s sentiments were shared by

several other drivers, who suggested that the Motor Sports Governing Body should put in more efforts to revive the Safari Rally to once famous round of the World Rally Championship instead of letting it die completely.

There will be only one Spectator Stage of the opening day of the competition after the cars leave KICC. The start from KICC thereafter Jamhuri Park will take the center stage with a short but entertaining spectator stage.

Organizers will locate a Remote Fuel zone along the way before cars check in at the Dalemere Estate, which

will host the competition for the next two days.

The idea of running night spectator stage was cancelled due to technical

and safety reasons. Night stages have become rare in the Kenya National Rally Championship series due to the security and safety

KCB Safari Rally Itinerary DAY 1 FRIDAY 10 JUNE 2016 0 START - KICC 10:00 HOLDING POINT (JAMHURI PARK) CS 1 JAMHURI SPECTATOR STAGE START (2.22km) 12:21 CE 1 JAMHURI SPECTATOR STAGE END SERVICE A IN (ELEMENTEITA LODGE) 14.36 DAY 2 SATURDAY DAY 11 JUNE 2016 Elementaita Lodge PARC FERME OUT - 08:00 CS 2 OTUT GATE 1 (37.06km) 08:30 CE 2 ELEMENTEITA 1 CS 3 SOYSAMBU GATE 1 (48.83km) 09:18 CE 3 LAKE END 1 CS 4 LODGE SPECTATOR STAGE START 1 (1km) 10:21 CE 4 LODGE SPECTATOR STAGE END 1 SERVICE C IN (ELEMENTEITA LODGE) 10.24 Regroup Out 12.00 CS 5 OTUT GATE 2 (37.06km) 12:18 CE 5 ELEMENTEITA 2 CS 6 SOYSAMBU GATE 2 (48.83km) 13:06 CE 6 LAKE END 2 48.83 CS 7 LODGE SPECTATOR STAGE START 2 (1km) 14:09 CE 7 LODGE SPECTATOR STAGE END 2 SERVICE D IN (ELEMENTEITA LODGE) 14.12 Parc Ferme IN 14.57 DAY 3 SUNDAY 12 JUNE 2016 7C PARC FERME OUT - DAY 3 7D SERVICE E IN CS 8 DELAMERE WEST (25.46km) CE 8 JOLAI CS 9 MILIA (38.28km) CE 9 DELAMERE EAST CS 10 LODGE SPECTATOR STAGE START 3 (1km) CE 10 LODGE SPECTATOR STAGE END 3 10A SERVICE F IN Elementeita Lodge HOLDING POINT (ELEMENTEITA LODGE) 10C HOLDING OUT 10D FINISH - KICC PARC FERME IN

08:00 08:02 08:35 09:08

reasons. It also incurs extra cost for the drivers, who have to install special spotlights for such rare night stages.

Total Distance: 539.11km Day 1 Competitive 2.22km Liaison Distance: 133.63km Total Distance: 135.85km Day 2 Competitive 173.78km Liaison Distance: 24.40km Total Distance: 198.18km Day 3 Competitive 64.74km Liaison Distance: 140.34km Total Distance: 205.08km Statistics last 3 years 2014 KCB Safari Rally 3 Days Total Competitive: 225km Total Distance: 831km Number of stages: 13 stages 2015 KCB Safari Rally 3 Days Total Competive: 366km Total Distance: 1010km Number of stages: 18 stages 2016 KCB Safari Rally 3 Days Total Completive: 240km Total Distance: 539km Number of stages: 10 stages

10:01 10:04

All details are correct at time of going to press.

12:00 14:15

Shortest Stage: 1km -Elementeita Spectator Stage Longest Stage: 48.83km -Soy Sambu Gate Total Competitive: 240.74km Total Liaison Distance: 298.37km

COPYRIGHT Anwar Sidi Rally Bulletin™ is owned and published by Anwar Sidi. Copyright 2016 All rights reserved. ®Anwar Sidi Rally Bulletin and its distinctive logo are trademarks owned by Anwar Sidi. No part of this magazine may be reproduced without the written consent of Anwar Sidi. Requests for permission should be directed to: anwarsidi55@gmail.com.

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June 2016 | ISSUE NO. 102

DRIVERS PROFILES

RAJBIR RAI BALDEV SINGH CHAGER

Nationality: Kenyan DOB: 8/3/75 Nicknames: Boldy/Flying Singh Team: Kabras Sugar Racing KNRC Standing: 1st KNRC Points: 37 Sponsors: West Kenya Sugar Co. (Kabras Sugar) Role: Lead driver and technical engineer for Kabras team Car: Mitsubishi EVOX Family: Married with one wife and 2 kids Resides: Nairobi area Place of work: BHP Performance Ltd/ BC Racing Occupation: Businessman Current Navigator: Ravi Soni Hobby: Engineering, reading Most Admired Sports person: Mike Tyson & Usain Bolt.

2016 Goal: To recapture the KNRC title.

Career highlights: 1. Two times KCB Safari Rally winner in 2013 & 2014 2. Three times KNRC Champion in 2008, 2013 & 2014 3. Twice Motor Sport personality of the year (2007 and 2013) 4. 1998 KNRC Championship- 3rd overall

JASPREET SINGH CHATTHE

Nationality: Kenyan DOB: Nicknames: Jassi Team: Team KIbos KNRC Standing: 6th KNRC Points: 20 Sponsors: KSAIL- Kibos Sugar and Allied Industries...

Role: Driver Car: Mitsubishi Lancer EVO 10- R4 Family: Married Resides: Kisumu Place of work: Kibos Sugar Occupation: Businessman Current Navigator: Gugu Panesar Favorite All-time Rally Driver (s): Colin McRae and Sebastian Loeb Most Admired Sports person: Mike Tyson & Usain Bolt.

2016 Goal: To retain the KNRC title he won last year.

Career highlights: 1. 2015 African Rally Champion 2.Winner KCB Safari Rally 2015 3. Winner Pearl of Africa Uganda Rally 2015 4. Winner Zambia International Rally 2015 5. ARC Tanzania Rally 2014 -1st overall 6. First KNRC win -KCB M-Benki Nanyuki Rally 2014 7. 3rd overall - 2014 ARC series behind eventual champion Gary Chaynes and Essa Mohammed

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IAN DUNCAN

Nationality: Kenyan Team: Liquid Telecom KNRC Standing: 5th KNRC Points: 21 Sponsors: Liquid Telecom Role: driver Car: Mitsubishi EVOX Resides: Nairobi area Place of work: Occupation: Mechanic Current Navigator: Amaar Slatch 2016 Goal: To recapture the KNRC title.

Career highlights: 1. Guru Nanak Rally winner a record 12 times 2. Six times KNRC Champion in 1987, 1988, 1989, 1991, 2000 and 2011 3. Three times Rhino Charge winner - 1998, 2006 and 2007 4. Winner of the 42nd Trustbank WRC Safari Rally 1994 5. Kenya Airways E.A. Safari Classic winner 2009 and 2013

TAPIO LAUKKANEN

Nationality: Finn DOB: 23. 9. 1969 Nicknames: Flying Finn Team: MRT KNRC Standing: 4th KNRC Points: 27 Sponsors: Multiple Hauliers Role: Lead driver Car: Subaru Impreza GVB 13 Resides: Finland Occupation: Professional Rally driver and trainer Current Navigator: Pasi Torma 2016 Goal: To win the KNRC 2016 championship Career Highlights: 1. Winner -2015KCB Kisumu Rally 2. Winner KCB Eldoret and Machakos Rally 2015 3. Retired in 2014 KCB Kisumu Rally while leading the pack 4. Won the 1996 Finnish Rally Championship in a Volkswagen Golf GTi 5. British Rally Champion in 1999 with a Renault Mégane Maxi twinned with fellow Finn, Kaj Lindström.

6. Tapio has been training a number of drivers in KNRC including Manvir Baryan and Jasmeet Chana 7. Previously navigated by Riipinen Ilkka, Lindström Kaj and Kaapro Harri in Europe based events

Nationality: Kenyan DOB: Team: Rai Racing KNRC Standing: 3rd KNRC Points: 29 Sponsors: Timsales Role: driver Car: Ford Fiesta R5 Family: Married Place of work: Timsales Occupation: Businessman Current Navigator (s): Greg Sted/Tim Challen 2W Debut: KCB Safari 2012 KNRC Debut: 2013 2016 Goal: To Clinch the2016 KNRC title.

Career highlights: 1. Winner - Kisumu Rally 2014 2. Winner-2014 Pearl of Africa Uganda Rally 3. 2014 KCB Eldama Ravine Rally winner 4. Started his racing career at Jamhuri Park racing buggies in the 2011 National Autocross Championship 5. Son of legendary two-times Kenyan champion Sarbi Rai 6. Brother to buggy/rally driver Amanraaj Rai 7. Cousin to rally Kabras Racing siblings Tejvir Rai and Onkar Rai 8. Started his rallying career in the 2012 Safari Rally in a VW Golf GTI 9. Second overall KCB Eldoret rally 2015

MANVIR SINGH BARYAN

Nationality: Kenyan DOB: 19th May 1982 Team: MRT KNRC Standing: 2nd KNRC Points: 33 Sponsors: Multiple Hauliers Role: driver Car: Ford Fiesta –R5 Resides: Nairobi area Place of work: Porsche Centre Nairobi Occupation: Businessman/ Heavy commercial transporter Current Navigator: Drew Sturrock 2016 Goal: To win the KNRC title.

KNRC DEBUT: 2011 KCB Guru Nanak Rally Career Highlights: 1. 3rd overall KCB Safari Rally 2014 2. Winner of ARC category - 2014 KCB Safari Rally 3. Leading contender - 2012 KNRC Division Two championship 4. Mentored by the 1999 British rally champion Tapio Laukkanen

June 2016 | ISSUE NO. 102

DRIVERS PROFILES

CARL TUNDO

KARAN PATEL

ONKAR SINGH RAI

TWO WHEEL DRIVE - ERIC BENGI

SAMMY NYORRI

LEONARDO VARESE

Nationality: Kenyan DOB: 11/12/1973 Nickname: Flash Team: Menengai Oil KNRC Standing: 8th KNRC Points: 15 Sponsors: Menengai Oil Refineries Limited Role: driver Car: Subaru GC8 Family: Married Place of work: Board member at the National Cereals and Produce Board Occupation: Businessman Current Navigator: Tim Jessop Favorite All-time Rally Driver: Sebastian Loeb Most Admired Sports person: Dan Carter 2016 Goal: To win the KNRC Career Highlights: 1. Four times Safari rally winner in 2004, 2009, 2011 and 2012 2.Three Times KNRC champion in 2007, 2009 & 2012 3.Motor sports personality of the year 2005 4. 2nd overall KCB Safari Rally 2014 5. First ever driver to win a KNRC round in a S2000 (Proton) 6. Retired in the season opening KCB Kajiado Rally 2016

Nationality: Kenyan DOB: 26th April 1976 Team: Toyota Runx RSI 2WD Standing: 1st 2WD Points: 50 Sponsors: None Role: Driver Car: Toyota RunX Resides: Nairobi area Place of work: ??

Occupation: Lawyer Current Navigator: Tony Gickuhi Hobby: Racing Favorite All Time rally Driver: Sebastian Ogier 2016 Goal: to win the 2WD championship Career Highlights: 1. Current 2WD leader 2. Winner of both the 2WD and KNRC Division 2 on Machakos Rally 2015 3. Won the 2WD Class on KCB Safari rally 2015 4. Eldama Ravine Rally 2014- 2nd in 2WD 5 Machakos Rally 2014- 3rd in 2WD 6. 2WD winner in KCB Safari rally 2014

Nationality: Kenyan DOB: 7th May 1991 Nicknames: KP Team: Filmico Racing KNRC Standing: 9th KNRC Points: 12 Sponsors: Family and Friends Role: driver Car: Mitsubishi EVOX Family: Single Resides: Nairobi area Current Navigator: Tauseef Khan Hobby: Aviation Most Admired Sports person: Colin McRae 2016 Goal: To perform well in WRC events he is undertaking Career highlights: 1. 2014 KNRC Group S and Division 3 Champion in an exBaldev Chager GC8 2. Former AMU East African 85cc Motocross Champion 4. S class winner -KCB Safari Rally 2014 5. 9th overall KCB Safari Rally 2014.

6. 5th overall KCB Kisumu Rally 2016

Nationality: Kenyan DOB: 29th March 1974 Team: Martlink Racing 2WD Standing: 3rd 2WD Points: 21 Role: Lead driver and technical engineer for Kabras team Car: Toyota RunX Family: Married Resides: Nairobi area Place of work: Matlink Occupation: Graphic Designer Current Navigator: Stephen Nyorri Hobby: Racing Most Admired Sports person: Mike Tyson & Usain Bolt.

2016 Goal: To win the 2WD title.

Career highlights: 1. Sammy became the second driver in Kenya after Victor Okundi to ever convert a Toyota Vitz into a rally car 2. Sammy made his 2WD debut in an ex-Joe Muchiri Toyota Levin in 2011 and later upgraded to a Vitz

Name: Farhaaz Khan

DOB: 06/06/1987 KNRC Debut: Navigator 2007 KCB MMC Rally Driver 2010 KCB Meru Rally No of Safari Rally Starts: 5 Profession: Accountant

Nationality: Kenyan DOB: 29/05/88 Team: Kabras Sugar Racing KNRC Standing: 7th KNRC Points: 18 Sponsors: West Kenya Sugar Co. (Kabras Sugar) Role: driver Car: Mitsubishi EVOX Family: Married Resides: Nakuru Place of work: Menengai Oil Refineries Occupation: Managing Director Current Navigator: Gareth Dawe Most Admired Sports person: Steven Gerrard Career highlights: 1. 2011 KNRC Division Two Champion 3. Mombasa Rally 2012- 3rd overall 4. Kisumu Rally 2015 3rd overall 5. 5th overall 2013 KQ East African Safari Classic 6. 3rd overall - KCB Mtaani Rally 2011 7. Winner- MMC Coast Club Rally round 2 in Ramisi in September 2011 8. Winner -2012 National Autocross 7 in Jamhuri Park

Nationality: Kenyan DOB: 31-07-1971 Nicknames: Leo Team: Sportpesa Racing KNRC Standing: 2nd KNRC Points: 38 Sponsors: Sportpesa Role: driver Car: Toyota Corolla RSI Family: Married Resides: Nairobi area Occupation: Self employed (transporter) Current Navigator: Kigondu Kareith Most Admired Sports person: Mike Tyson & Usain Bolt.

2016 Goal: To defend the 2WD title.

Career highlights: 1. Four times reigning 2WD champion - 2008, 2010, 2014 and 2015.

2. 2WD winner in the RSC KNRC round in 2009, 2010, 2012 and 2014.

Sponsers: Oilibya Car Make: Mitsubishi Evo 9 Navigator: Keith Henrie Career Highlights: 1. 2008 Classic Car Cup Navigator Champion 2. 2013 Division 3 Runner up 3. 2009 & 2013 E.A Classic rally finisher

4. Notable performances: 5. 8th Overall 2013 KCB Nakuru Rally 6. 8th Overall 2013 KCB Kisumu Rally 7. 10th Overall 2013 KCB Kajiado Rally 8. 10th Overall 2013 KCB Mombasa Rally 9. 9th Overall 2014 KCB Kisumu Rally 10. 11th Overall 2016 KCB Kajiado Rally

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PHOTOGRAPHY: ANWAR SIDI June 2016 | ISSUE NO. 102

SAFARI RALLY 2016 ENTRY LIST Pos. Door No. Driver/Co-Driver /Car 1.

1. Jaspreet Chatthe/ Gurdeep Panesar -Mitsubishi Evo10 2. 4 Ian Duncan/Amaar Slatch -Mitsubishi Evo 10 3. 5. Carl Tundo /Tim Jessop -Mitsubishi Evo 10 4. 6. Rajbir Rai /Greg Stead- Ford Fiesta 5. 8. Quentin Mitchell /Steven Cook –Skoda Fabia 6. 2. Tapio Laukkanen /Pasi Torma –Subaru Impreeza 7.

3. Baldev Chager /Ravi Soni -Mitsubishi Evol 10 8. 10. Karan Patel /Tauseef Khan- Mitsubishi Evol 10 9. 11. Onkar Rai /Gareth Dawe -Mitsubishi Evo 10 10. 15. Tejveer Rai /Zahir Shah -Mitsubishi Evo 10 11. 17. Pietro Cannobio /Silvia Frigo- Mitsubishi Evo 10 12. 18. Izhar Mirza /Kavit Dave -Mitsubishi Evo 9 13. 20. Jasmeet Chana /Ravinder Chana -Mitsubishi Evo 9 14. 23. Farhaaz Khan /Keith Henrie -Mitsubishi Evo 9 15. 25. Imran Mogul /Adnan Din -Subaru Impreza N12 16. 29. Jansher Sandhu /Feisal Khan- Mitsubishi Evo 9 17. 97. Issa Amwari /Edward Njoroge -Mitsubishi Evo 10 18. 27. Stephen Mwangi/ Jonathan Kosgei –Subaru Impreza 19. 31. Asad Khan /Harshil Limbani –Subaru Impreza GC8 20. 32. Mahesh Halai /Ketan Halai –Subaru Impreza N12

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21.

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24.

25.

26.

27.

28.

29.

30.

31.

32.

33.

34.

35.

36.

37.

38.

39.

40.

41.

42.

124. John Ng’ang’a /Anthony Njenga - Subaru Impreza N12 37. Eric Bengi /Tuta Mionki –Toyota Runx 45. Jonathan Somen /Richard Hechle –Ford Escort 51. Eric Njogu /Tony Kimondo –Subaru IMpreza N10 48. Adil Mirza /Kashif Shaikh –Mitsubishi Evo9 52. Chandrakant Devji /Julius Mwachuya - Subaru Impreza GC8 120. Rehan Shah /George Kiama –Mitsubishi Evo9 53. Sammy Nyorri /James Mwangi –Totota Runx 54. Leonardo Varese /Kigondu Kareithi –Toyota Corolla 86. Ramesh Vishram /Riyaz Ismail –Ford Escort 57. Natasha Tundo /Chantal Young-Subaru Impreza 60. Alex Lairang’i /Anthony Gichohi –Toyota Corolla 64. Andrew Muchemi /Kimaru Boit –Mitsubishi Evo8 76. Edward Maina /Steve Mbuthia –Subaru IMpreza GC8 78. David Kioni /Mwangi Kioni –Subaru Impreza 85. McRae Kimathi /Stephen Njenga - Subaru Impreza GC8 118. Osman Abdullahi /Evans Mwenda - Subaru Impreza N10 121. Josiah Kariuki /John Ngugi - Subaru Impreza N11 67. Nikhil Sachania /Salim Khan –Fiat Abarth 87.Geoff Mayes /Jamie Mactavish –Range Rover 123. Moez Malik /Absolom Aswani –Mitsubishi Evo6 122. Sam Karangatha /Edward Ndukui –Subaru Leone

June 2016 | ISSUE NO. 102

Past Winners

T

he Safari Rally is a rally race held in East Africa. It was first held from 27 May to 1 June 1953 as the East African Coronation Safari in Kenya, Uganda and Tanganyika,[1] as a celebration of the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. In 1960 it was renamed the East African Safari Rally and kept that name until 1974, when it became the Safari Rally.

The Safari Rally adopted the special stage

format in 1996. From that edition until 2002, it featured over 1000 km of timed stages, with stages well over 60 km long, unlike most rallies which had under 500 km of total timed distance. This meant that the winner’s total time was above 12 hours in 1996 and decreased to two seconds shy of 8 hours in 2002.

The event was part of the World Rally Championship calendar for many years until being excluded after 2002 due to the lack of

Year Rally Name / Dates

Winning Driver

Co-driver

Winning Car

Status

1954 2nd East African Coronation Safari Rally

Alan Dix

Johnny Larsen

Volkswagen Beetle

1955 3rd East African Safari Rally

Vic Preston Sr

D P Marwaha

Ford Zephyr

1956 4th East African Safari Rally

Eric Cecil

Tony Vickers

DKW

1957 5th East African Safari Rally Gus Hofmann

Arthur Burton

DKW

1958 6th East African Safari Rally

Arne Kopperud Morris Temple-Boreham

Kora Kopperud Mike Armstrong

Ford Zephyr II (Lion class) Auto Union 1000 (Leopard class)

1959 7th East African Safari Rally

Bill Fritschy

Jack Ellis

Mercedes-Benz 219

1960 8th East African Safari Rally Bill Fritschy

Jack Ellis

Mercedes-Benz 219

1961 9th East African Safari Rally John Manussis

Bill Coleridge David Bekett

Mercedes-Benz 220SE

1962 10th East African Safari Rally Tommy Fjastad

Bernhard Schmider

Volkswagen 1200

1963 11th East African Safari Rally

Nick Nowicki

Paddy Cliff

Peugeot 404

1964 12th East African Safari Rally Peter Hughes

Bill Young

Ford Cortina GT

1965 13th East African Safari Rally Joginder Singh

Jaswant Singh

Volvo PV 544

1966 14th East African Safari Rally Bert Shankland

Chris Rothwell

Peugeot 404

1967 15th East African Safari Rally Bert Shankland

Chris Rothwell

Peugeot 404

finance and organisation in 2003. The Kenyan government is trying to get the rally’s WRC status restored. Since 2003 the event has been part of the African Rally Championship organised by the FIA. It is currently known as the KCB Safari Rally after its sponsor, Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB).

Local driver the late Shekhar Mehta was the most successful in the event with five outright victories (1973, 1979–1982)

1988 36th Marlboro Safari Rally (31 Mar – 4 Apr)

Miki Biasion

Tiziano Siviero

1989 37th Marlboro Safari Rally (23–27 Mar)

Miki Biasion

Tiziano Siviero

1990 38th Marlboro Safari Rally (11–16 Apr)

Björn Waldegård

Fred Gallagher

1991 39th Martini Safari Rally 27 (Mar – 1 Apr)

Juha Kankkunen

Juha Piironen

1992 40th Martini Safari Rally 27 (Mar – 1 Apr)

Carlos Sainz

Luis Moya

1993 41st Trustbank Safari Rally (8–12 Apr)

Juha Kankkunen

Juha Piironen

1994 42nd Trustbank Safari Rally (31 Mar – 3 Apr)

Ian Duncan

David Williamson

1995 43rd Safari Rally (14–17 Apr)

Yoshio Fujimoto

Arne Hertz

1996 44th Safari Rally (5–7 Apr)

Tommi Mäkinen

Seppo Harjanne

1997 45th Safari Rally (1–3 Mar)

Colin McRae

Nicky Grist

1998 46th Safari Rally (28 Feb – 2 Mar)

Richard Burns

Robert Reid

1999 47th Safari Rally (26–28 Feb)

Colin McRae

Nicky Grist

2000 48th Sameer Safari Rally (25–27 Feb)

Richard Burns

Robert Reid

2001 49th Safari Rally (20–22 Jul)

Tommi Mäkinen

2002 50th Inmarsat Safari Rally (12–14 Jul)

Colin McRae

Nicky Grist

2003 51st KCB Safari Rally (9-11 Oct)

Glen Edmunds

Titch Phillips

Lancia Delta Integrale

WRC

Lancia Delta Integrale

WRC

Toyota Celica GT-Four ST165 WRC Lancia Delta Integrale 16V

WRC

Toyota Celica Turbo 4WD

WRC

Toyota Celica Turbo 4WD

WRC

Toyota Celica Turbo 4WD

WRC

Toyota Celica Turbo 4WD

2LWC

Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution III

WRC

Subaru Impreza WRC97

WRC

Mitsubishi Carisma GT Evolution IV

WRC

Ford Focus WRC

WRC

Subaru Impreza WRC99

WRC

Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution 6.5

WRC

Ford Focus RS WRC 02

WRC

Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VI

ARC

Subaru Impreza

ARC

1968 16th East African Safari Rally Nick Nowicki

Paddy Cliff

Peugeot 404[2]

1969 17th East African Safari Rally Robin Hillyar

Jock Aird

Ford Taunus 20M RS

1970 18th East African Safari Rally Edgar Herrmann

Hans Schüller

Datsun 1600 SSS

1971 19th East African Safari Rally Edgar Herrmann

Hans Schüller

Datsun 240Z

1972 20th East African Safari Rally Hannu Mikkola (30 Mar – 3 Apr)

Gunnar Palm

Ford Escort RS1600

IMC

1973 21st East African Safari Rally Shekhar Mehta (19 – 23 Apr)

Lofty Drews

Datsun 240Z

WRC

1974 22nd East African Safari Rally (11 – 15 Apr)

Joginder Singh

David Doig

Mitsubishi Lancer 1600 GSR WRC

1975 23rd Safari Rally (27 – 31 Mar)

Ove Andersson

Arne Hertz

Peugeot 504

1976 24th Safari Rally (15 – 19 Apr)

Joginder Singh

David Doig

Mitsubishi Lancer 1600 GSR WRC

2004 52nd KCB Safari Rally (12–14 Mar)

Carl Tundo

Tim Jessop

WRC

2005 53rd KCB Safari Rally (15th – 17th Jul)

Glen Edmunds

Des Page-Morris

Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VII

ARC

Ford Escort RS1800

WRC

2006 54th KCB Safari Rally (24 – 26 Mar)

Azar Anwar

George Mwangi

Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VI

ARC

Peugeot 504 V6 Coupé

2007 55th KCB Safari Rally (9-11 Mar)

Conrad Rautenbach

Peter Marsh

Subaru Impreza N10

IRC & ARC

2008 56th KCB Safari Rally (27–29 Jun)

Piers Daykin

Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX

ARC

Lee Rose

2009 57th KCB Safari Rally (3–5 Apr)

Carl Tundo

Tim Jessop

Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX

IRC & ARC

2010 58th KCB Safari Rally (2–4 Apr)

Piers Daykin

Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX

ARC

Lee Rose

2011 59th KCB Safari Rally (17–19 Jun)

Tim Jessop

Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX

ARC

Carl Tundo

2012 60th KCB Safari Rally (8–10 Jun)

Tim Jessop

Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX

ARC

Carl Tundo

2013 61st KCB Safari Rally (5–7 Jul)

Ravi Soni

Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X

ARC

Baldev Chager

2014 62nd KCB Safari Rally (12–14 Sep)

Ravi Soni

Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X

ARC

Baldev Chager

Mitsubishi Evo10 Jassi Chatte

Gugu Panesar

Kenya ARC

1977 25th Safari Rally (7 – 11 Apr) 1978 26th Safari Rally (23 – 27 Mar)

Björn Waldegård

WRC

Hans Thorszelius

Jean-Pierre Nicolas

Jean-Claude Lefèbvre

1979 27th Safari Rally (12 – 16 Apr)

Shekhar Mehta

Mike Doughty

1980 28th Safari Rally (3 – 7 Apr)

Shekhar Mehta

Mike Doughty

1981 29th Safari Rally (16 – 20 Apr)

Shekhar Mehta

Mike Doughty

1982 30th Marlboro Safari Rally (8 – 12 Apr)

Shekhar Mehta

Mike Doughty

1983 31st Marlboro Safari Rally (30 Mar – 4 Apr)

Ari Vatanen

Terry Harryman

1984 32nd Marlboro Safari Rally (19 – 23 Apr)

Björn Waldegård

Hans Thorszelius

1985 33rd Marlboro Safari Rally (4 – 8 Apr)

Juha Kankkunen

Fred Gallagher

1986 34th Marlboro Safari Rally (29 Mar – 2 Apr)

Björn Waldegård

Fred Gallagher

1987 35th Marlboro Safari Rally (16 – 20 Apr)

Hannu Mikkola

Arne Hertz

Datsun 160J Datsun 160J Nissan Violet GT Nissan Violet GT Opel Ascona 400 Toyota Celica TCT Toyota Celica TCT Toyota Celica TCT Audi 200 Quattro

WRC WRC WRC WRC WRC WRC WRC WRC WRC

Risto Mannisenmäki

2015 63rd KCB Safari Rally

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June 2016 | ISSUE NO. 102

PHOTOGRAPHY: ANWAR SIDI Jassi’s Lowdown Team: Team Kibos Sponsors: Role: Driver Car: Mitsubishi Lancer EVO 10 R4 Resides: Kisumu DOB: 24th November 1979 Place of work: Kibos Sugar Occupation: Director First Road Car: 4 x4 Toyota pickup First Rally Car: Datsun First Event: 1997 Nyanza Rally with Gugu Panesar Favorite All-time Rally Driver (s): Colin McRae and Sebastian Loeb Current Navigator: Gugu panesar Previous Navigator: Dave Sihoka & Craig Thorlay

Chatthe savors rare success

J

aspreet Chatthe aka “Jassi” entered his name in the annals of rallying history by achieving what no other Kenyan driver had ever accomplished.

The Kisumu-based driver became the first man in Kenya to win both the African Rally Championship (ARC) and National Rally Championship (KNRC) incidentally in a season which also saw him chalk-up the 63rd Safari Rally and the Pearl of Africa Uganda Rally.

Jassi won the Safari and indeed his maiden KNRC title together with Kisumu resident Gurdeep “Gugu” Panesar and the ARC with Britain’s Craig Thorlay. Jassi delivered the coveted ARC title incidentally 31 years after David Horsey’s scintillating drive in a Peugeot. Prior to the Horsey -David Williamson feat in 1984, the legendary Shekhar Mehta was the only other driver from Kenya to have laid his hands on the African title along with Mike Doughty in a Nissan with Surinder Thatthi also winning it as a co-driver with the legendary Zambian Satwant Singh in 1989, 1996, 1998 and 1998.

Although Jassi may not have possessed the bragging rights to sit around the same dining table with the legendary Shekhar or even four times Safari winner Joginder Singh, he must have graduated eating from the crumbs, if his performance in 2015 is anything to go by.

“Shekhar was such a successful driver and having my name on the same roll of honor with him in two nostalgic events (Safari and ARC) is such a great feeling,” said Jassi.

Jassi made his rallying debut on the 1997 edition of Nyanza Rally navigated by Gugu

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Panesar but took a long sabbatical before making a comeback in the recent years.

“I believe I was born a rally driver. I joined motorsports because I have always enjoyed the adrenaline sensation of movement,” said Chatthe who also won the Kenya Division 2 and 3 titles before joining the elite Premier group in KNRC.

Here’s what’s special about Jassi : 1. 2015 African Rally Champion 2.Winner KCB Safari Rally 2015 3. Winner Pearl of Africa Uganda Rally 2015 4. Winner Zambia International Rally 2015 5. ARC Tanzania Rally 2014 -1st overall 6. First KNRC win -KCB M-Benki Nanyuki Rally 2014 7. Finished third overall in the 2014 African Rally Championship series behind eventual champion Gary Chaynes and Essa Mohammed 8. Retired in the recent 2015 Oryx Tanzania ARC Rally

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PHOTOGRAPHY: ANWAR SIDI

KCB Kisumu Rally Round 2 7th May 2016

Baldev Singh Chager/Ravi Soni (Mitsubishi Lancer EvoX)

Chager charges to victory as Tapio stumbles in lakeside

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aldev Singh Chager navigated by Ravi Soni In a Group N Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution10 ended 18 years of waiting when he racked up his second career Kisumu Rally title on the wet and muddy terrain around Chemelil region.This was Chager’s first win in Kisumu since 1998 when the “Flying Singh” made his Kenya National Rally Championhip debut.

In winning Kisumu Rally, Chager reclaimed the summit of KNRC despite failing to win a single event in his title defense last season. Chager now leads the log on 37, four ahead of Manvir Baryan, eight ahead of Rajbir Rai and 10 ahead of the round one leader Tapio Laukkanen.

Chager, who was the fastest through the repeat run of Kobonyo-Mberere stage, was all smiles after victory and this is what he had to say at Chemase service point: “These were perhaps the toughest conditions we have seen in a long time. Organisers had to cancel two stages because of adverse weather conditions and compelled to reroute and rerun some

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stretches. It was very rough and the rocks in there proved quite unforgiving at some point.”

The event, marred by poor weather conditions long before the rally kicked off from the KCB Branch in Kisumu, also saw Ian Duncan forced out of the event due to poor health while holding a sizable lead with just

Driving a Mitsubishi Lancer EvoX, Chager got back to winning ways with what was considered as a well coordinated performance to keep the respective Ford Fiestas of Rajbir Rai (2nd) and Manvir Baryan (3rd) at bay and making it a one-two-three for the Sikh drivers.

one stage remaining.

The Kisumu Rally, which was expected to feature as one of the leading rounds of the current KCB-sponsored series, failed to live up to its reputations with numerous changes and delays that caused discomfort among the drivers, sponsors and fans prior and during the competition.

In all, three out of the five competitive stages were canceled due to unavoidable wet and slippery stages. That left the organizers with no option but to run just stage twice to achieve the mandatory 50% of the total competitive distance for anyone to be able to score championship points. Anything less than that would have meant a wasted journey and budget for those, who had travelled to the Lakeside rally.

Duncan led the Rally after the first section but retired in Chemase Service due to medical reasons.

“Ian had not been feeling well for the past couple of days with diarrhea and vomiting being his major problems. The medics checked

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Rajbir Rai/Greg Stead (Ford Fiesta R5) him at the Service Park just before preparing for the final stage before advising him to take a good rest. We didn’t want to risk it.

Rallies come and go but our health remains paramount,” said Amaar Slatch, his long-term navigator.

Driving a Mitsubishi Lancer EvoX, Chager got back to winning ways with what was considered as a well coordinated performance to keep the respective Ford Fiestas of Rajbir Rai (2nd) and Manvir Baryan (3rd) at bay and making it a one-two-three for the Sikh drivers.

Carl Tundo finished fourth ahead of powerful Evos, one of them powered to 6th place by his Dad Frank while youngster Karan settled for fifth place prior to his WRC debut in Portugal.

Tundo, was second fastest through the first loop and fourth fastest in the repeat run when his Subaru Impreza Gc8 got stranded in a flooded river.

“We got stranded in a flooded river. The tractor managed to tow us out but by then the electrical department was heavily affected. We did clean it bit by bit before limping back to the finish by then we had obviously lost the lead of the rally,’’ Tim Jessop, Tundo’s navigator.

Asked about his scintillating drive on the GC8, Carl said: “It’s an old car. We managed to break the rear arm in the second section but other than that It was great fun to be back in the GC8....and we were pushing for the day before breaking the arm. The GC8 has got abit more power, it has a N12 engine in it so its quite powerful . It’s handling is typical Subaru -so great fun.”

Defending KNRC champion Jassi Chatthe wasn’t spared by the bad weather conditions either and finished 22nd overall after stopping in the first stage for more than 20 minutes before picking up a puncture on the repeat run.

Tapio also suffered engine and puncture gremlins to end his Kisumu campaign in an unfamiliar 14th position. >>>

Manvir Baryan/Drew Sturrock (Ford Fiesta R5) Full Results: 1. Baldev Singh Chager/Ravi Soni (Mitsubishi Lancer EvoX) 1:01.00 2. Rajbir Rai/Greg Stead (Ford Fiesta R5) 1:01.14 3. Manvir Baryan/Drew Sturrock (Ford Fiesta R5)1:01.32 4. Carl Flash Tundo/Tim Jessop (Subaru Impreza GC8) 1:01.38 5. Karan K Patel/Tauseef Khan (Mitsubishi Lancer EvoX) 1:06.50 6. Frank Tundo/Raju Chagger (Mitsubishi) 1:07.30 7. Onkar Singh Rai/Gareth Dawe (Mitsubishi Lancer EvoX) 1:07.35 8. Izar Mirza/Kevit Dave (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo9) 1:07.45 9. Tejveer Singh Rai/Zahir Shah (Mitsubishi Lancer EvoX). 1:08.14 10. Eric Bengi/Tuta Mionki (Toyota RunX) 1:10.41 11. Jansher Sandhu/Faisal Khan (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo9) 1:13.01 12. Natasha Tundo/Chantal Young (Subaru N10) 1:13.14 13. Osman Abdullahi Osman/Evans Mwenda (Subaru N10) 1:14.01 14. Tapio Laukkanen/Pasi Torma (Subaru) 1:15.36 15. Mahesh Halai/Ketan Halai (Subaru N12) 1:17.29 16. Jasmeet Chana/Ravi Chana (Toyota Celica GT4) 1:18.24 17. Chandrakant Devji/Julius Mwachuya (Subaru GC8) 1:18.25 18. Edward Maina/Steve Mbuthia (Subaru GC 8) 1:21.23 19. Issa Amwari/Edward Njoroge (EVO X) 1:22.46 20. Alex Lairang/Anthony Gichohi (Toyota Sprinter GT) 1:24.10 21. Leonardo Varese/Kigondu Karethi (Toyota Corolla) 1:25.22 22. Jassi Chatthe/Gugu Panesar (EVOX) 1:26.50 23. Jitendra Dhokia/Saima Khan (Subaru N10) 1:30.43

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PHOTOGRAPHY: ANWAR SIDI

Asked about his scintillating drive on the GC8, Carl said: “It’s an old car. We managed to break the rear arm in the second section but other than that It was great fun to be back in the GC8....and we were pushing for the day before breaking the arm.

Carl Flash Tundo/Tim Jessop (Subaru Impreza GC8) >>>

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Frank Tundo/Raju Chagger (Mitsubishi) Karan Patel who has been rallying for three years was happy to survive the toughest conditions thus far in the 2016 season.

“The conditions were worse in the morning than they were in the first run round. We had a good run in the first loop but coming through the second run we had too many hiccups so had to slow down a bit. We are not very keen on the championship as we are doing WRC rounds this season....so the KNRC points won’t really matter for us,” said Karan.

Out of the 28 cars which started the Equator Motor Club organized round only four (Sammy Nyorri, Duncan, Dinesh Sachania and Farhaaz Khan) failed to master the wet and rough conditions Greenhorns beat the odds Nairobi based driver Osman Abdullahi made his rallying debut in Kisumu and savoured 13th overall position contrary to all expectations.

Osman powered his ex Paras Pandya Subaru N10 to 8th in Group N ahead of several established KNRC drivers to clinch the event’s “most meritorious award”.

Another upcoming competitor Saima Khan was among the three lady navigators who survived the demanding conditions upon guiding Kisumu based Jitendra “Jitu” Dhokia to 23rd overall position. Navigated by Evans Mwenda, Osman admitted candidly that his first Rally had surpassed all expectations.

“I never imagined that I would make it back in such a credible position. I started off last on the road and I am glad I was able to drive competitively . I hope to take it easy in the remaining rounds so as to gain the requisite experience as well as many points as possible,” said Osman.

Bengi wins again Eric Bengi in his crowd pleasing Toyota RunX chalked up his second straight win of the season in 10th overall position incidentally on his very first outing with lady navigator Tuta Mionki. Tuta was called upon to fill the void left behind by Bengi’s regular navigator Tony Gikuhi and savoured victory on the lakeside round.

“Our Kisumu finish is very special. We are so elated. Top 10 is amazing. It is a big celebration as it is our first time to finish in Kisumu. Last two seasons Kisumu was very unforgiving and we retired in most unfortunate situations. We are very happy,” said Bengi.

Leonado Varese took advantage of Sammy Nyorri’s retirement to move up from third to second on the Formula Two log.

Nyorri retired on the repeat run of Kobonyo-Mberere stage with engine failure.

Alex Lairang’i came home second in 20th overall position to make up for his retirement in Kajiado last February.

Izar Mirza/Kavit Dave (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo9)

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KNRC Championship standings after 2 rounds

Eric Bengi extends his lead in the F2 Championship

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ric Bengi has extended his lead in the National Formula Two Rally Championship following an impressive performance in the just concluded KCB Kisumu Rally.

A relatively newcomer in the competition, Bengi raised eyebrows in the latest event by finishing in the 10th overall place and first in his class in a Toyota RunX navigated by Tuta Mionki. Both are from the Abdul Sidi Rally Academy.

Bengi leads the table with 50 points while multiple winner of the F2 Championship titles, Leonardo Varese is in the second place with 34 points in yet another Toyota model after two rounds of the series so far.

Early leader of the Overall standings of the KNRC, Tapio Laukkanen of Finland has dropped to fourth place in the standings after a poor show in the Lakeside Rally.

Following his win in the Kisumu Rally, Baldev Chager is now the leader of the standings with 37 points followed by Manvir Baryan with 33 and Rajbir Rai with 29 points respectively. Laukkanen is on 27 points.

Ravi Soni, the former National and Safari Rally Navigator champion has also climbed up to the top of the Co-drivers series with 47 points while Gareth Dawe, who accompanies Onkar Rai, is now in the second place with 27 points followed by Amar Slatch (Ian Duncan’s navigator) in the third place with 25 points.

The top-placed female driver is Natasha Tundo in the 14th place with four points. She shares the position with another group of six drivers each with four points. They include Jansher Sandhu, Tejvir Rai, Varese, Edward Maina and Chandrakant Devji.

PHOTOGRAPHY: ANWAR SIDI

KNRC CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS AFTER 2 ROUNDS DRIVERS: 1.

Baldev Chager 37 2 Manvir Baryan 33 3 Rajbir Rai 29 4 Tapio Laukkanen 27 5 Ian Duncan 21 6 Jaspreet Chatthe 20 7 Onkar Rai 18 8 Carl Tundo 15 9 Karan Patel 12 10 Izhar Mirza 10 10 Frank Tundo 10 12 Jasmeet Chana 8 13 Eric Bengi 5 14. Jansher Sandhu 4

Tuta Mionki is the bestplaced female navigator in the 13th place with six points followed

by Chantal Young (15th) with ve points and Saima Khan (20th) with two points respectively.

14 = 14 = 14 = 14= 14= 20 21 21= 21= 21= 21= 21= 21= 21= 21= 21= 21= 21= 21= 21=

Chandrakant Devji Leonardo Varese Natasha Tundo Edward Maina Tejveer Rai Farhaaz Khan Jonathan Somen Adil Mirza Sammy Nyorri Ramesh Vishram Rehan Shah Gurmit Thethy Imran A Khan Kimaru Boit Osmam Abdullahi Jitendra Dhokia Dinesh Sachania Mahesh Halai Alex Lairangi Issa Amwari

4 4 4 4 4 3 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2

KNRC CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS AFTER 2 ROUNDS CO-DRIVERS 1.

Ravi Soni 43 2 Gareth Dawe 27 3 Amaar Slatch 25 4 Gurdeep Panesar 23 5 Tim Jessop 21 6 Kavit Dave 20 7 Tauseef Khan 18 8 Raju Chaggar 15 9 Ravinder Chana 14 10 Keith Henrie 8 10= Zahir Shah 8 12 Feisal Khan 7 13 Richard Hechle 6 13= Tuta Mionki 6 15 Chantal Young 5 16 Tony Gikuhi 4

16= 16= 16= 20 20= 20= 20= 20= 20= 20= 20= 20= 20= 20= 20= 20=

Julius Mwanchuya Kigondu Kareithi Steve Mbuthia Adnan Din Steven Nyorri Atul Kochaar George Kiama Harshil Limbani Shakeel Khan Taiti Wachira Salim Khan Ketan Halai Evans Mwenda Saima Khan Anthony Gichohi Edward Njoroge

4 4 4 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2

KNRC TWO WHEEL DRIVE CLASS (2WD) CHAMPIONSHIP DRIVERS 1 Eric Bengi 50 2 Leonardo Varese 36 3 Sammy Nyorri 21 3= Alex Lairang’i 21 4 Gurmit Thethy 15

KNRC TWO WHEEL DRIVE CLASS (2WD) CHAMPIONSHIP CO-DRIVERS 1 Kigondu Kareithi 36 2 Tony Gikuhi 25 2 Tuta Mionki 25 4 Steven Nyorri 21 4 Anthony Gichohi 21 6 Harshil Limbani 15 KNRC 2016 CLASSIC CHAMPIONSHIP DRIVERS 1 Jonathan Somen 25 2 Ramesh Vishram 21 >>>

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>>> 3

Dinesh Sachania

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CO-DRIVERS 1 Richard Hechle 25 2 Atul Kochaar 21 3 Salim Khan 18

KNRC DIVISION 1 CHAMPIONSHIP DRIVERS

1 Onkar Rai 46 2 Izhar Mirza 36 3 Jasmeet Chana 31 4 Frank Tundo 25 5 Jansher Sandhu 24 6 Farhaaz Khan 15 6= Tejveer Rai 15 8 Issa Amwari 8

Eric Bengi/Tuta Mionki (Toyota RunX)

KNRC DIVISION 1 CHAMPIONSHIP CO-DRIVERS 1 Gareth Dawe 46 2 Kavit Dave 36 3 Ravinder Chana 31 4 Raju Chaggar 25 5 Feisal Khan 24 6 Keith Henrie 15 6= Zahir Shah 15 8 Edward Njoroge 8

Mahesh Halai/Ketan Halai (Subaru N12) KNRC DIVISION 2 CHAMPIONSHIP DRIVERS 1 Eric Bengi 46 1 Richard Hechle 25 2 Jonathan Somen 25 1= Tuta Mionki 25 3 Mahesh Halai 21 3 Tony Gikhuhi 21 4 Adil Mirza 18 3= Ketan Halai 21

5 Adnan Din 18 KNRC DIVISION 3 CHAMPIONSHIP DRIVERS 1 Chandrakant Devji 43 2 Natasha Tundo 33 3 Leonardo Varese 28 4 Sammy Nyorri 21 4= Osman Abdullahi 21 6 Edward Maina 18 7 Ramesh Vishram 15 8 Rehan Shah 12 8= Alex Lairangi 12 10 Gurmit Thethy 10 11 Jitendra Dhokia 8 12 Imran I Khan 6 13 Kimaru Boit 4 14 Dinesh Sachania 2 KNRC DIVISION 3 CHAMPIONSHIP CO-DRIVERS 1 Julius Mwanchuya 43 2 Chantal Young 33 3 Kigondu Kariethi 28 4 Steven Nyorri 21 4= Evans Mwenda 21 6 Steve Mbuthia 18 7 Atul Kochaar 15 8 George Kiama 12 8= Anthony Gichohi 12 10 Harshil Limbani 10 11 Saima Khan 8 12 Shakeel Khan 6 13 Taiti Wachira 4 14 Salim Khan 2

Alex Lairang/Anthony Gichohi (Toyota Sprinter GT)

14 Osman Abdullahi Osman/Evans Mwenda (Subaru N10)

June 2016 | ISSUE NO. 102

Kenya’s Smith hopes for the best from East Africa region

PHOTOGRAPHY: ANWAR SIDI

By Sharifah Namagoba Ramah

W

ith three events remaining on the 2016 Africa rally championship, the crew of Don Smith and Bob Kaugi from Kenya believe they are getting closer to their first ARC title despite a slender points lead on the ARC log.

Smith maintained his ARC lead after finishing second in the ARC category and ninth overall during the Zambia international rally over the weekend.

He leads with four points ahead of Zambia’s Muna Singh Jr who stands on 50points.

Despite finishing behind Muna in the last two events, Kaugi; Smith’s

Now that we are going to the area with the roads that we are versed with, we hope to do much better. Tanzania has a bit of smooth and fast roads same as in Uganda,”

navigator believes the remaining events will provide grounds for their first title.

“Now that we are going to the area with the roads that we are versed with, we hope to do much better. Tanzania has a bit of smooth and fast roads same as in Uganda,” he added.

The crew is anticipated to hit the East Africa region in a new car; the Subaru Impreza NR4.

“We hope to be in a new car by Tanzania if

all goes well,” he asserted.

ARC will head to Tanzania in July then Rwanda and Uganda to seal the six rounds.

ARC standing.

1.Don Smith/Bob Kaugi 54points 2.Muna Singh/Jasmeen Singh 50pts 3.Gary Chaynes/David Israel 25pts 4.Ismail Ibrahim/Johan Bruin 15pt

Without Prejudice

Mainstream media deserves fair treatment from rally-sport organisers

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ainstream media platforms provide a highly accessible communication medium for motor sports administrators, fans, crews and sponsors alike.

The motor sport media has over the years played a pivotal role in delivering desirable PR Value (PRV) of the Kenya National Rally Championhip and readily adopted the use of social media platforms to reach out to a myriad enthusiasts in Kenya and across borders.

Given the rising number of spectators, the

mainstream media is becoming ever more important and gives the rally-sport organizations the opportunity to make news, whilst also managing their events.

However, some organizers in Kisumu ran the event in total disregard of PR and media values.

Organisers are under the obligation to give media information when it really matters and this should not appear to be seen as if it’s a favor being extended to members of the Fourth Estate.

As if to add insult to injury, there was literally no Media or spectator information fourthcoming from the organisers. This culminated into total confusion on the ground with spectators and Media moving up and down in pursuit of favourite viewing spots what a shame.

These are truly the consequences when the organisational setup is disconnected from the media.

Media deserves better treatment in future.

This is food for thought to the organisers

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