Anwar sidi magazine 2015

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

April 2015 | ISSUE NO. 97

KNRC 2014 review: The Year that was!

Azar Anwar retiring?

Carl Tundo not happy with his Proton?

Youngsters reign supreme Safari antics Finn takes lead of the Kenya Rally Championship series Rallies Commission effect major changes to 2015 NCRs

APRIL 2015 | ISSUE NO. 97

PHOTOGRAPHY: ANWAR SIDI

CONTENTS 4. MESSAGE FROM KMSF CHAIRMAN 5. MESSEGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 7. MESSAGE FROM CLERK OF THE COURSE 8. STELLAR ENTRY FOR 63RD SAFARI RALLY 10. ROUTE GUIDE - KCB SAFARI RALLY 2015 11. SPECTATOR GUIDE MAPS 12. KCB SAFARI RALLY ORGANIZERS APPLAUDED 15. AZAR ANWAR RETIRING? 16. CARL TUNDO NOT HAPPY WITH HIS PROTON? 18. KNRC 2014 REVIEW: THE YEAR THAT WAS! 20. SEASON-OPENING RACE 23. YOUNGSTERS REIN SUPREME 24. MOST DRAMATIC TOUR 26. NAKURU RALLY 28. SAFARI ANTICS 30. LAKESIDE DRAMA 27. LAUKKANEN’S EARLY LEAD STEMMED 32. DUNCAN BECOMES ‘GURU’ FOR THE UMPTEENTH TIME 35. THE 2014 WINNERS 36. FINN TAKES LEAD OF THE KENYA RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES 38. KARAN, SOMEN, ALASDAIR SHINE AS LEO ATTAINS 2WD HATRICK 40. RALLIES COMMISSION EFFECT MAJOR CHANGES TO 2015 NCRS 42. DISABILITY IS NOT INABILITY 46. RESULTS 50. TOYOTA KENYA’S UNSWERVING SUPPORT OF KNRC

CREDITS

CONTRIBUTORS: Abdul Sidi Samson Ateka Gishinga Njoroge

1 Send it for Sidis!

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MESSAGE FROM KMSF CHAIRMAN

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ehind every great racing driver stands a great team of mechanics, team managers and navigators.

In a marriage of sports convenience and endeavour, one side can hardly succeed without the other. We at the Federation are determined to see to it that all crews enjoy safer and affordable racing. One of the biggest achievements last season was deviation from populated public road stages to private ranch closed roads which significantly took the safety and publicity of KNRC events to desirable levels.

When the cream of Africa’s best came calling in Mount Kenya region during last year’s Safari, we did stage one of the greatest shows ever witnessed in the last 10 years of the prestigious Safari. The 63rd edition of Safari is here with us again and returns to its traditional Easter holidays date. So teams get ready for yet another spectacle in a serene location.

Season-opening KCB Kisumu Rally in Chemelil and Chemase was indeed a momentous occasion which marked the genesis of major reforms in the sport as cited in the 2015 NCRs. NCRs have already been circulated by the new Competitor Friendly RC to teams, clubs and are also availed on the KMSF website (www.motorsportkenya. com), which has changed rallying in the last 12 months by introducing closed Stages On private land ,streamlined club organisational Obligations to sponsors and competitors alike.

The changes made were as a result of a wider consultative initiative with clubs and

To accommodate all, we have also factored in a wider range of low budget vehicles which includes 2WDs, SPVs and classic cars etc.”

JS Vohra, KMSF Chairman

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stakeholders.

As we usher in the new season, we promise you a great year of vibrant sporting activity.

One of the most captivating things to look out for this year is the high-tech machinery which includes Mitsubishi Evos, R5s, Subarus and Super 2000s. The influx of state-of-the-art is a true testament of the growth the KNRC has undergone over the years and I’m glad to announce here today that we are only second to South Africa on the continental arena.

To accommodate all, we have also factored in a wider range of low budget vehicles which includes 2WDs, SPVs and classic cars etc. In a bid to make the sport a lot more competitive and vibrant, the driver/navigator points system has changed. The car classes have increased too.

Spectator fervour has been overwhelming thus far with most events being flagged-off by County Governors and HE President Uhuru Kenyatta. We expect the same trend to prevail this season if what was witnessed in Kisumu is anything to go by.

Television and print mileage places KNRC amongst the leading and best organised sporting events in Kenya.

We are setting higher goals and anticipate closer ties with relevant stakeholders to make Kenya a safer and greater racing destination.

The sky’s the limit for us in 2015.

Thank you all>>>> JS VOHRA KMSF CHAIRMAN

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MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

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o everyone attending our rally this weekend, to every driver/navigator waiting, ready, prepared to rev-off this grueling journey, to everyone in every county and village watching as we begin, welcome to the 63rd edition of the KCB Safari Rally- welcome from every one of us at the Kenya Motor Sports Federation.

I have never been so proud to be Kenyan and to be part of the rally family as I am on this day, at this moment.

The Safari brings together the people of this country in harmony, friendship and peace to celebrate what is best about man and machine duels we are about to witness this weekend.

All my life I have loved Motorsport as a spectator, competitor and now in my capacity as the Safari Rally executive director!

You have to love the sport to compete in it.

There is a truth to the Safari, purity, a drama, intensity, a spirit that makes it irresistible to take part in and interesting to watch.

Safari 2015 seeks to capture all of this. Its that moment when crews are stretched to the limit of their abilities, inspired by what they can achieve, driven by their talent to work harder than they can believe possible, liv-

ing for the moment but making an indelible mark upon the rich Safari history.

To marshals, controllers, mechanics, volunteers and crews gathered here to embark on this epic endeavor, we wish you a safe Safari that’s precious and irreplaceable.

To our distinguished title sponsors KCB, I say thank you, thank you for “making the difference” in Safari for the umpteenth time.

In the next three days our dedicated team of organisers. Will show all that has made the Safari one of the greatest and toughest rallies in the world.

Safari seeks to uphold its status as a “must watch” event. This year we are running this prestigious event as a non-ARC for reasons I prefer not to dwell on. Dakar Rally has over the years retained its reputation as the world’s most popular rally yet it’s not an FIA calendar event.

Let’s all join hands in making Safari a spectacle like no other and stand to be counted on the global arena.

Karibuni Nyote to the KCB Safari Rally 2015.

God Bless!

There is a truth to the Safari, purity, a drama, intensity, a spirit that makes it irresistible to take part in and interesting to watch.

Phineas Kimathi

Phineas Kimathi

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MESSAGE FROM CLERK OF THE COURSE

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CB Safari Rally 2015 is going to be very exciting- to begin withthis time it’s moving out of Nairobi into 5 different counties much like in the 80’s.

Easter – traditionally Safari time in Kenya will once again be the host date.

Come rain come shine, we will remain with the proffered stages. The only thing we might do is run them later on in the day than what we are planning in the morning session.

Rains will of course make the Safari tough and as you all know this is the world’s toughest event - it will live up to its formidable reputation.

The Rally will visit – Machakos County, Naromoru , Loldaiga’s , Ngare Ndare and Meru County.

3 days and 900 kilometers will definitely rekindle the nostalgic adventure of the Worlds Greatest Rally. In a deviation from current events , Service will be carried out on safe roadsides as determined by the Organisers , and thereby revisiting a salient feature of the early Safari days.

Not with standing , the speed checks will be in place and woe onto anyone flouting the speed limit on a liaison section.

Adventure , skill , endurance , pace management and tenacity will be tested to the limit , this Safari is going to be great and so it goes , only the greatest will conquer the Greatest Rally in the World.

BIMAL PATEL Clerk of the course

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PHOTOGRAPHY: ANWAR SIDI

Stellar entry for 63rd Safari Rally

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here’s a fabulous fight in prospect in the newly introduced Premier Class with Finland ace and KNRC series leader Tapio Laukkanen ready to rumble against Kenya’s racing legends Baldev Chager, Ian Duncan and Carl Tundo.

While defending KNRC champion Chager hopes to attain a hat-trick of Safari wins,Carl “The Jackal” or “Flash” -as you care to call himwill be charging his Proton Neo Satria to equal Shekhar Mehta’s unprecedented five wins. The only difference though is that Shekhar won his five events when Safari counted towards the World Rally Championship (WRC). Flash, on the other hand, won four Safaris when they counted towards the FIA African Rally Championship (ARC). This year the Safari will not be a round the ARC but a “kawaida” KNRC spectacle designed to revert the nostalgic Easter weekends when a mere mention of legendary names like Juha Kankkunen heightened the pulse-rate of countless enthusiasts across the African region.

Tapio, a former British/Finnish rally cham-

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pion is an international driver and will drive a Subaru Impreza GVB13 under the MRT Racing banner.

Also listed is Team Kibos’ Jaspreet Singh Chatthe “Jassi” and two Ford Fiesta R5 cars of MRT’s Manvir Baryan and Kenya’s new kid on the block Rajbir Rai, who has switched from EvoX in 2014.

Former double Kenya champion Alastair Cavenagh is yet to register any finish from the last two seasons (2014 and 2015) and hopes to break the jinx in Safari.

Onkar Rai and his elder sibling Tejveer are the two young men from Kabras Racing which is running two EvoX cars.

There are also two Toyota RunX 2WD rally cars for Sammy Nyorri and Eric Bengi who will want to make their impression felt up against champ Leonardo Varese and Gurmit Thethy.

Leo has never won the Safari despite having won three KNRC Championships. Bengi is no doubt the fastest 2WD competitor in Kenya at the moment currently going for back to back Safari titles.

Nyorri who is this season running on Proflex suspensions achieved his maiden 2WD victory in Kisumu and leads the 2WD log.

Lairang’I, who retired in Kisumu, is currently driving the ex-Dennis Mwenda Toyota Sprinter GT which incidentally was his bridal car back in 2012.

Classic car class category has attracted veteran drivers, including in-form Jonathan Somen and Aslam Kham, both of whom will drive Ford Escort MK2 and Porsche Carrera 911 cars respectively.

Mombasa’s Izhar Mirza will be going for the jugular in division 1 which he leads currently at the wheel of a Mitsubishi Lancer Evo9.

There is also a reasonable entry of S class cars which includes Hussein Malik, Chandrakhant Chhavhadia Devji alias Chandu and Nadeem Kana.

THE ROUTE The 2015 edition, which this year commemorates its 63rd running, gets underway from KICC on Friday April 3-5.

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Route Guide - KCB Safari Rally 2015 KCB Safari Rally 2015 Day 1 Friday 3rd April 2015 NAIROBI

KICC START & PERCE FERME

JKIA

NAIROBI NATIONAL PARK

ATHI RIVER

IVETE FOREST

A109

MACHAKOS

2 CS PEOPLES PARK

A104

LEGEND

TOWN

A104

RALLY DIRECTION

KAJIADO SPECTATOR POINT

CS LISA

1

KONZA

KCB Safari Rally 2015 Day 2 & 3; 4th & 5th April 2015 ISIOLO

A2

CS LOLDAIGA

6

CS NGARE NDARE

CS NKUNGA NDARE FOREST

CS KISIMA

5

A2 CS ASK MERU

4

LEGEND

7

10

CS KIBIRICHIA TIMAU

TOWN

9

MERU

MERU

RALLY DIRECTION

A2 CS MERU FOREST

NANYUKI

A2 LENGETIA

3 NARU MORO

A2

MT KENYA MT KENYA NATIONAL PARK

10

FOREST

MT KENYA FOREST

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MTTI SERVICE

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Spectator guide maps Itinenary Day 1 FRIDAY 3rd APRIL 2015 0 Ceremonial Start KICC 9:00 Service A IN SERVICE A (KONZA) CS1 Lisa Ranch Start 1 CE1 Lisa Ranch End 1 CS2 Machakos People's Park Start CE2 Machakos People's Park End CS3 Lisa Ranch Start 2 CE3 Lisa Ranch End 2 KICC Parc Ferme IN Day 2 SATURDAY 4th APRIL 2015 KICC Parc Ferme OUT CS4 Lengetia Start CE4 CS5 Loldaiga Start 1 CE5 Loldaiga End 2 CS6 Ngare Ndare Start CE6 Ngare Ndare End CS7 Nkunga Start CE7 Nkunga End CS8 ASK Meru Spectator Start CE8 ASK Meru Spectator End Parc Ferme IN MTTI Day 3 SUNDAY 5th APRIL 2015 Parc Ferme MTTI OUT CS9 ASK Meru Spectator Start CE9 ASK Meru Spectator End CS10 Meru Forest Start CE10 Meru Forest End CS11 Kibirichia Start CE11 Kibirichia End CS12 Loldaiga Start 1 CE12 Loldaiga End 2 CS13 Kisima Start CE13 Kisima End CS14 Nkunga Start CE14 Nkunga End CS15 ASK Meru Spectator Start CE15 ASK Meru Spectator End CS16 Meru Forest Start CE16 Meru Forest End CS17 Kibirichia Start CE17 Kibirichia End CS18 Kisima Start CE18 Kisima End Parc Ferme ASK MERU Ceremonial Finish - MERU ASK

10:00 10:23 11:31 14:49 18:19

5:30 8:33 9:56 11:54 12:37 13:05 14:00

7:00 7:28 7:36 8:04 9:17 11:15 11:43 12:11 12:49 13:17 13:40 14:40

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Drivers Statements Rajay Sehmi: Don’t think one should be happy about withdrawal of the Safari Rally from the FIA! It’s actually quite sad and just puts us further away from getting the WRC back.

Nicholas Patel: Exactly what benefit has sticking with FIA given us??? This is the way to go. WRC was never going to come back. It should be a privilege to enter the safari. If the classic can work, why not the safari. And can we please implement a proper timing system!!! Not just the flag at FF. Jitz Hunjan: It’s a step in the right direction. Keep safari what it was, FIA diluted the whole event. WRC too is not what it used to be anyway.

KCB Safari Rally Organizers Applauded

By Abdul Sidi

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his year’s KCB Safari Rally organizers applauded, as they plan to inject vital changes to the rally once, dubbed the toughest round of the World Rally Championship.

Glen Edmunds, the former Safari Rally winner, was among the first to commend the organizers for the changes that will come into effect after Kenya walked out of FIA commands on how it runs its national rally. ‘’Brave move by the organizers for the bold move they have taken to go back to what made the event the greatest rally in the world.

Safari Rally was always an adventure that’s what attracted the teams in the first place.

Going back to basics and putting on a great event will be believe it or not catch the eye of manufactures. Kudos to the organizers and forget the FIA, said Edmunds.

Apart from reverting to the Easter days, several others changes are expected to be carried out without the fear of the FIA eyes, which had made the organizers to go back to their knees in trying to please the architects of the World Rally Championship series to reopen the doors for Kenya to enter elite group.

After 13 years of trying and spending colossal some of money, the final decision was taken by the members of the Board of Directors of the Kenya Motor Sports Federation at the end of last year to ignore FIA rules and go it alone.

Spectators will now enjoy the luxury of watching rally drivers and members of the service crew working their machines from close with the re-introduction of the ‘’Road side service’’, a privilege that was taken over by the unfriendly Service Parks under the FIA rules. The stages are also going to be of the endurance type and not sprint version.

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Dubbed as “the world’s toughest rally”, the event was a test of man and machine under any weather conditions whether dry or wet. If it was wet, mud was everywhere and progress would slow down considerably. If it was dry, dust would become major problem for drivers due to poor visibility by trying to overtake the car ahead.

Besides the nature, the character of the roads with long distances combined with high speeds stretches, Safari Rally was always unique with meeting wild and domestic animals, matatus and other public means on the routes of the classic event. An idea, FIA strictly objected and thus forced Kenya to go closed circuits with shorter event combined with even shorter stages. ”Exactly what benefit was there for Kenya to stick with FIA? This is the way to go. WRC was never going to come back. It should be a privilege to enter the safari. If the E.A Classic Rally can work, why not the Safari Rally,’’ said Nicholas Patel, who also tasted the WRC status as a navigator.

Similar sentiments were shared by former Safari Rally driver, John Maryvonne Rose who said she shared Patel’s comments and asked the organizers to intensify on the safety measures without the need for the FIA to be there.

The event was part of the World Rally Championship calendar for many years until it was excluded 2003 due to lack of proper funding and allegedly poor organization.

The event had been part of the African Rally Championship since 2003. It is currently known as the KCB Safari Rally after its sponsor, Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB).

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

John Maryvonne Rose: I second Nick Patel’s comments. Just intensify safety standard measures; we don’t need the FIA for that.

Arvinder Panesar: I agree with Nick Patel we need a proper timing system with real time results.

Alan Burford-Salter: Have fun in the sun & dust Anwar, be thinking of u. Always loved this event, fingers crossed it enters the FIA events calendar again soon. Actually Nicholas, What your saying rings true. If the classic can survive, why can’t the Safari? It is after all its uniqueness that made its attraction to outside factory manufacturers from the 70’s - keep it going that’s its charm and appeal of adventure, let alone a tough event. I’d personally love to see the event run in the rally calendar. It’s a demanding, changeable event. It is one extremely unique event. Wish you lucked ladies and gentlemen.

Michael Kagwi: Now we are going in the right direction.... Back to where Safari Rally used to be .... service in regular roads.

Start on Easter weekend.

Rajay Sehmi: I think it was also becoming difficult to organise the safari within the guidelines of the FIA given the uniqueness of the event. Fully agree that this move was probably necessary in order to give the organisers freedom to make a suitable route. However, I still think working with the FIA in the long-term would be beneficial in attracting more international drivers. It’s all about proper representation at the FIA. Timing systems and in real time is definitely top on the wish list.

Sometimes even as competitors you have no idea of your overall classification during the event...it’s thanks to the efforts of people like Anne Troughton that the top boys know what’s happening. In all fairness I think motorsport administration did go thru a lull and the current administration has a lot of catching up to do and are doing a great job under the circumstances.

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Dubbed as “ the World’s toughest Rally” the event was a test of man and machine under any weather conditions.

Local driver Shekhar Mehta was the most succesful in the event with five outright victorious (1973,1979-1982

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Azar Anwar retiring?

By Abdul Sidi

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I have an option of putting a “super engine” in the EVO7, but that would force me to enter Group S. If I prepare the EVO8, then there are stricter rules to follow if I were to remain in main Class which is RC2 but financially that would need bigger budget”

eteran rally driver, Azar Anwar will take part in the 2015 KCB Safari Rally contrary to rumors of his retirement from the sport.

When asked about the ongoing rumours of his premature retirement from active participation, Anwar was quick to laugh it off saying those spreading such rumours were ill-informed.

“I missed the KCB Kisumu Rally but will be back for the Safari Rally. However, my programme for this year will be based on a few selected events with the support from my regular sponsors,” said Anwar, the former Safari

Rally and KNRC champion Anwar’s only dilima is which Class to enter in the premiere event following the recent introduction of the new rules affecting rally cars.

Anwar, who has two Mitsubishi Lancers - EVO7 and EVO8 respectively, has yet to make up his mind on which one to prepare for the Safari Rally.

“I have an option of putting a “super engine” in the EVO7, but that would force me to enter Group S. If I prepare the EVO8, then there are stricter rules to follow if I were to remain in main Class which is RC2 - but financially that would need bigger budget,” added Anwar.

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Carl Tundo not happy with his Proton?

PHOTOGRAPHY: ANWAR SIDI

C

arl Tundo has no plans to move away from the Proton S2000 despite all the niggling problems that have hindered his impressive progress in the Kenya National Rally Championship series.

Tundo, the multiple winner of the KNRC title and a former Safari Rally winner, said he still has confidence in the super car to perform to its original expectation once minor problems are sorted out.

“What I encountered in the Kisumu Rally, was something that could have happened to any other rally car after damaging the brake pipe in one of the stages. I must have hit it somewhere. I would not like to move any other rally car for now. This car is fantastic to drive when the going is good.

It is impressive and fun rally car. I just need to iron out the tiny problems,’’ said Tundo, who has already secured one victory in the car since it made its rally debut last year.

When asked about the presence of Tapio Laukkanen and the Fin’s rally victory in the Kisumu Rally, the Nakuru-based wheat farmer

The car looks good and neat and very quick from the starting line.

They are doing great to the sport and drivers of the such machines are also having fun.”

Tundo giggled before he could answer the question.

“Tapio is a professional driver and good at his driving. The chances of him breaking in the stages are slightly high due to his aggressive style of his driving. We now have to gauge our limits to his ability. It is very good to have him. I have not given up or deterred by his presence because I know tables will soon turn round once my car is sorted out. When the going was good in Kisumu, I was not far from his stage times.’’

Tundo’s opinion of the other super cars racing in the local series such as the Ford Fiestas, also varied, citing higher budget to acquire and run such machines on the local terrain.

However, he was impressed with the compact shape of the car and the speeds at which they are able to take off from one point to another.

“The car looks good and neat and very quick from the starting line. They are doing great to the sport and drivers of the such machines are also having fun,’’ added Tundo.

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Tundo retired in Nakuru Rally after hitting a culvert and subsequently damaging the front left suspension arm.

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KUMHO Hard Compound available for Rim 14 & 15

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KNRC 2014

REVIEW: THE YEAR THAT WAS! PHOTOGRAPHY: ANWAR SIDI

Protons excite fans as Evos dominate season of pure adrenaline action

By Anwar Sidi Bulletin Team

W

hen Carl “Flash” Tundo and his former Dalbit teammate Alastair Cavenagh unveiled their Proton Neo Satria S2000 machines in the run up to Kiambu Rally, fans were overly excited with what was being perceived to finally be the answer to long-standing dominance of Mitsubishi Evolutions.

Rightly so, Flash drove like a man possessed on Kiambu Rally and didn’t just clear the ground with all his opponents, the four times Safari winner literally gave the Malaysian- made Proton its first win in Africa incidentally on a maiden outing on the continent.

Much was anticipated though from Cavenagh’s drive in Migaa but from then on, only disappointments followed for

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both Protons in as far as reliability is concerned.

Last year, Tundo competed in both the Proton and his old Evolution 9 (currently with Pavit Kenth) and indeed dictated the pace on both contraptions.

A perfect example to one of his stellar drives was that dramatic Nanyuki outing where Flash clung to a comfortable 4 minutes lead from eventual winner Jassi Chatthe and just needed to clear 3 kilometres of the Batian View spectator stage to give the Evo9 the second win of the season. At the end of it all, Flash was left to rue his woes midway through Batian when his car stalled with fuel pump problems. This perhaps went down as Flash’s most disappointing retirement, but that’s rallying.

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Carl “Flash” Tundo drove like a man possessed on Kiambu Rally’s Migaa Estates and didn’t just clear the ground with all his opponents, he literally gave the Malaysian- made Proton its first win in Africa incidentally on its maiden race outing on the continent.

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PHOTOGRAPHY: ANWAR SIDI

Seasonopening race

T Asad Anwar/Kashif Shaikh Mitsubishi Evo10

Manvir Baryan/Drew Sturrock Subaru Impreza

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he season revved-off at sea level (in Malindi) on a rather controversial note though when Rajbir Rai and later in the day Manvir Baryan were declared winners on a day replete with intrigues following the “exclusion� of Tundo for allegedly stopping a stage. But following protest by leading drivers, Tundo was later declared the winner with Nadeem Kana and James Mwangi rackingup their fourth career 2WD victory and the sec-

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ond on home turf.

Tundo’s initial disqualification that was much later overturned was based on 2 points:The first being blocking the road and the other being that he told the controller at the end of the section that stage had been cancelled.

In a quick rejoinder on his facebook page (Carl ‘Flash’ Tundo Official Rallying), Flash explained his actions and this is what he had to say: “The section in question was a track and in many places there was no way 2 cars could pass. After going past 1 spectator car in the section, I came across another at high speed and narrowly missed. This was on a stretch of road that neither of us could pass for about 100 meters. After eventually getting the spectator into a safe place, as we were on a corner, I pulled over to where other rally cars could pass. This is not to say that it was safe for the second rally car to pass as the spectator car was still blocking the road. I told Tim to get out and slow

Baldev down and to get the spectator car off the road as they were clearly in a state of shock by the closeness we came to hitting them and I turned my phone on and called C.o.C Roy McKenzie and informed him of the events and asked him what we should do next. He thanked us and said he could not make the decision alone and would call back. I never blocked the road or never told the controller at the end of the section the stage had been cancelled.”

Tundo led the KNRC series up till the second event in Machakos which saw him retire midway through.

Baldev Singh Chager aka “Boldy” who came second in Malindi achieved his first win of the new 2014 season in Machakos and celebrated snatching the lead from Tundo.

Duncan’s encounter with police car Controversies didn’t just end in Malindi. In Machakos, Duncan and Andy Doig withdrew

from the event in a huff citing lack of safety.

They came into an encounter with a police car on the stage and chose not to carry on citing a similar incident in Nyeri which saw Duncan and Amaar Slatch crash head-on with an event ambulance. The Machakos police car incident was captured prominently on Duncan’s in-car camera and what transpired didn’t go down well with most of the rally crews.

Proton rules Kiambu Tundo was imperious on his very first outing in the Proton which saw him win in Kiambu.

Chager not knowing what to expect from the Protons relentlessly attacked from the world go in Kiambu and claimed quite a number of ‘first fastest times’ only to retire in the latter stages as Rallye Sports Club (RSC) tour at Migaa wore on. This was the first proper private farm stage organised by George Mwangi and his namesake George Njoroge.

Mahesh & Ketan Halai

Mahesh Halai-Subaru N12

Pierro Canobio/Michele elaini (Mitsubishi EVOX)

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PHOTOGRAPHY: ANWAR SIDI

Izhar Mirza & Kavit Dave-Mitsibishi Evo9

Steve Gacheru/Linet Ayuko-Subaru Imprez N10

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Youngsters reign supreme

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fter Kiambu, the winning trend of KNRC events appeared to change in favour of youngsters.

But the pace of the top 3-Baldev, Tundo and Duncan remained unchallenged on sundry occasions.

Twenty three year old Rajbir Rai won his maiden KNRC as KCB Mtaani Eldama Ravine Rally (Nakuru Rally) came to a dramatic end at Kamwosor Service Park in Elgeyo Marakwet County.

The son of legendary two- times former Kenya champion Sarbi Rai had his campaign effectively sewn-up when Ian Duncan suffered multiple punctures; including two in the repeat run of Tugumoi stage (CS5).

Duncan, who picked his third puncture at the CS6 Kiptacich stage, led the rally until the excruciating double puncture jinx set in.

Alasdair Keith won Group S for the second time running whilst Gurmit Thethy claimed his maiden 2WD win after 6 years of trying. Jonathan Somen navigated by Richard Hechle won the Classic Car Cup in the tour of Nakuru.

Defending champion Baldev finished second overall in the main class while Duncan settled for third.

Chager spent a restless and sleepless night in Eldama Ravine as a result of a bad fever that had at some point threatened to pull him out of the rally.

But he beat the odds to clinch a podium contrary to all expectations.

Tundo retired in the opening Tugumoi/Kocholwo stage after hitting a culvert and subsequently damaging the front left suspension arm.

Undaunted by his retirement, Tundo came back to route-open his home rally but suffered further jinx when his Proton S2000 caught fire in the repeat run of the Flourspar (CS7) section. He however stopped to put off the fire.

Hardeep Rehsi-Mitsubishi Evo10

Rajbir Rai&Tim Challen-Mitsubishi Evo10

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PHOTOGRAPHY: ANWAR SIDI

Most dramatic tour

N

anyuki Rally’s 52km Loldaiga stage proved to be the toughest stage in 2014 what with attrition rate and the number of crews caught out.

The event was indeed the most dramatic tour of the season and saw another rising star in Kisumu-based Jassi Singh being the surprise winner.

Like Rajbir in Nanyuki, Jassy took advantage of Tundo’s gremlins. Tundo was compelled to resort to his old Evo9 after rolling his Proton in a test run at Gicheha Farm.

Jassi navigated by multiple ARC navigator champion Dave Sihoka triumphed in Nanyuki after ‘sting-in-the-tail’ last stage drama. The rally which featured a long stage in a game conservancy turned out to be quite a wild ride for some of the crews like Baldev and Cavenagh who registered another DNF. Fresh from victory in the Tanzania leg of the African Rally Championship, Jassi was back to win the KNRC round of the KCB MBenki Nanyuki Rally.

The event was decided on the last 3kms which had been dubbed the power stage and incredibly proved to be the ‘giant killer’.

Tundo was leading Jassi by over four minutes with three kilometres of Batian super special to spare.

It was double celebration for Chatthe who topped both the KNRC and ARC events.

Nanyuki surprises didn’t just end there.

Raaji Bharij sitting with a rookie navigator Jasneil Ghataure settled for second place, Issa Amwari fifth, Steve Mwangi 6th and Karan Patel winning S class in 7th overall position.

With Safari Rally next in line, Chatthe basked on the KNRC summit with 210 points followed by Baldev on 200, Tundo (176), Rajbir (170) and Jasmeet Chana (156) respectively.

The overall title race remained wide open after Nanyuki tour with a maximum of 280 points to score from the last three rounds in Safari Kisumu, Guru Nanak.

Steve Mwangi & Nyorri-Subaru N12

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Jassi Chatte/Dave Shihoka Mitsubishi Evo10

Rajbir Rai/Tim Challen-Mitsubshi Evo9

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Nakuru Rally

Peter Horsey/Bella Erskine-Mitsubishi Evo10

Imran Mogul/Adnan Din-Subaru

Tejvir Rai/Zah Shah-Subaru N16

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PHOTOGRAPHY: ANWAR SIDI

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The Kerio Valley

Ian Duncan/Amaar Slatch-Mitsubishi Evo9

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Aslam Khan/Keith Henrie-Porsche 911

Safari antics

T

he 63rd KCB Safari Rally offered the biggest share of the KNRC points (120) and Baldev’s second career win saw him recapture the lead from Jassi.

Safari turned out to be a two horse race though between Flash and Chager. Flash suffered an excruciating puncture and was compelled to attack all through in his bid to catch Baldev.

All in all, loud ululations rent the air when Baldev and his partner Ravi Soni claimed their second career Safari, albeit early morning scares from Carl who settled for second overall in a Proton S2000 whist Manvir Baryan sealed the podium dash after trailing Chager by a massive 4.53miunutes. After the big guns retired in the last two days of

Duncan Mubiru-Subaru Impreza N16

Dennis Mwenda/Andrew Njoroge-Toyota

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PHOTOGRAPHY: ANWAR SIDI

the competition, the rush for the coveted title was reduced to a two-horse race pitting Chager and Tundo.

The biggest Safari loser was ARC leader Ivorian Gary Chaynes who failed to seal the continental title at penultimate stage after he retired with mechanical problems in the notorious Loldaiga hills, a real giant killer on Safari. Baryan of Kenya was the winner of ARC category and indeed the sole finisher in the continental championship. But Chaynes remained the leader in ARC after Zambian Essa Mohammed skipped Safari due to financial constrains.

Quentin Mitchell enjoyed his first drive on a Skoda Fabia S2000 and his maiden partnership with a new navigator Nicolas Camara. “This car arrived only a few hours to the start-never having seen the car; never having driven a left hand drive- its quite exciting that we finished fourth,� Quentin said.

Quentin Mitchell-Skoda S2000

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PHOTOGRAPHY: ANWAR SIDI

Rajay Sehmi/Jay Sandhu-Ford Escort

Lakeside drama

K

isumu Rally- for the second year running- revisited the emerald cane-field stages around Chemase, Nucleus and Simba regions and it was Rajbir again registering his third win of the season, his second career victory coming on the Pearl of Africa Rally in Uganda and his third in Eldama Ravine.

Rajbir took the lead in the third section at Songhor, lost it momentarily to a hardcharging Tundo in the fourth section but had his campaign effectively sewn up when the latter suffered multiple punctures.

But the 2014 penultimate tour however narrowed down the KNRC title campaign to a two-horse race pitting Tundo and reigning crown holder Baldev.

Baldev was lying second after the second

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stage but had his run stymied by a puncture in the third stage.

Tundo settled for second despite a storming charge run in the lakeside region whilst 60 year-old veteran Azar Anwar sealed the podium in his ageing ex-Cavenagh EVO8 machine.

Chager who retained his position atop the KNRC standings with 360points ahead of Tundo on 320 came home in fourth with the champion needing a podium finish at Guru Nanak to retain the title.

Leonardo Varese in a Toyota Corolla RSI won the 2WD Class followed by defending champion Dennis Mwenda while Karan Patel in a career best fifth won Group S Class in the absence of season pacesetter Alasdair Keith.

Jitu Dhokia-Subaru N8

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Laukkanen’s early lead stemmed Former British and Finnish rally champion Tapio Laukkanen was the star attraction in early morning exchanges in Chemase with first two fastest stages times on CS 1 and CS2 prior to his exit on CS3 Chemelil-Songhor.

The Finn who was called in at the eleventh hour to fill the void left behind in Manvir’s Subaru Impreza cleared the ground with all and sundry but damaged his car at Songhor to bow out while leading.

Tapio beat Chager by 39 seconds in the 10km Miwani stage and repeated his supremacy on the second Nucleus-Simba stage with another six over the champion.

With Tapio gone, youngster Rajbir Rai took over the lead after setting the fastest stage time on Songhor.

Eric Benji-Toyota Runx

Galib Hajee & Bharat Patni Baldev Chager & Ravi soni

Chager who retained his position atop the KNRC standings with 360points ahead of Tundo on 320 came home in fourth with the champion needing a podium finish at Guru Nanak to retain the title.”

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PHOTOGRAPHY: ANWAR SIDI

Azar Anwar/Julius Ngigi-Mitsubishi Evo9

Duncan becomes ‘guru’ for the umpteenth time

C

hager had his championship success was gifted in the early morning loop when Tundo, his closest pursuant, retired on competitive stage two. Tundo’s Proton was forced out of the rally due to fuel-related problems.

A few kilometres in the stage when Baldev saw Tundo’s car by the roadside and actually stopped to say sorry to him because he knew the championship was wrapped up and in the bag.

Baldev retired on the transport road section as he was motoring towards the repeat run of Sleeping Warrior stage in Kikopey.

His car has been malfunctioning all this while and he were not going fast. He

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came into service and thought he had the problem sorted out but the car kept misfiring on the transport section so he opted to retire. All in all, Chager wrapped up the season with 360 points while Tundo settled for second place in the final standings with 326 points. Duncan, navigated

by Amaar Slatch in a XADO-sponsored Nissan Patrol won an unprecedented 12 Guru Nanak wins as the 2014 dust finally settled at Buffalo Mall in Naivasha.

Duncan vanquished Rajbir by a mere two seconds to register his first top podium spot in the season in one of his traditional “monster pick-ups” that have previously cleared the ground with all and sundry.

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Mickey Hughes

Rajesh Maini/-Ford Escort

Ian Duncan/Amar Slatch-Nissan Nadeem Kana/James Harrison-Subaru

Gurmit Thetty-VW Golf

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PHOTOGRAPHY: ANWAR SIDI

Don Smith/Bob Kaugi-Subaru N16

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THE 2014 WINNERS

1. KCB Malindi Rally (3rd Feb 2014): Carl Tundo -Evo9 *Rally flagged off by Kilifi Governor HE Amason Kingi 2. KCB Machakos Rally (March 2014): Baldev Chager-EvoX *Rally flagged off by Machakos Governor Dr. Alfred Mutua 3. KCB Kiambu Rally (RSC, April 2014): Carl Tundo -Proton *Rally flagged off by Kiambu Governor William Kabogo 4. KCB Mtaani Eldama Ravine Rally (RVM&SC, Nakuru-May 2014)-Rajbir Rai-EvoX *Rally flagged off by Baringo Governor Benjamin Cheboi 5. KCB M-Benki Nanyuki Rally 2014 (NRG-27th June): Jassi Chatthe-EvoX *Rally flagged off by Laikipia County Governor Joshua Irungu 6. KCB Safari Rally (Sep 13-14): Baldev S. Chager-EvoX *Rally flagged off by by HE President Uhuru Kenyatta at KICC 7. KCB Kisumu Rally: Rajbir S. Rai-EvoX 8. KCB Guru Nanak Rally: Ian Duncan-Nissan Patrol pickup

Alastair Cavenagh/Gavin Laurence-Proton S2000

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Finn takes lead of the Kenya Rally Championship series

By Abdul Sidi abdulsidi2@gmail.com

T

apio Laukkanen has taken the lead of the overall standings of the 2015 KCB Kenya National Rally Championship following his historic win in the Kisumu Rally.

The Finn, who led from start to finish in his only second rally in Kenya, earns 25 points for the victory. The new points system replaces the old fashion where a winner earned 80 points followed by 60 for the second, 50 for third and henceforth.

Local boy, Jaspreet Chathe is in the second with 21 points followed by Onkar Rai 18, Baldev Chager 15, Jas Mangat 12, Izhar Mirza 10, Jasmeet Chana 8, Manvir Baryan 6, Jonathan Somen 4 and Mahesh Halai with 3 respectively.

Sammy Nyorri is the leader of the Formula Two Class after registering his first-ever victory in the National Formula Two Championship in a Toyota Corolla RunX which was placed 15th overall. Gurmit Thethy’s VW Golf was placed second while Bhupinder Sagoo in a Toyota Ceres was placed third overall.

The S Class was won by home driver, Chandrakant Chhabhadia in a Subaru Impreza GC8 followed by another similar car of Nadeem Kana of Mombasa in the second place.

Reigning Group S Champion, Karan

Patel was forced out of the event.

The Classic Class was won by the defending champion, Jonathan Somen in a Ford Escort.

The opening round of the KCBsponsored series, proved a hard nut for most of the super cars, which had consciously grabbed headlines for their superiority and the image of the World Rally Cars since they made their way into the competition not very long time ago.

Both the respective Protons S2000 of Alastair Cavenagh and Carl Tundo bowed out with separate defects.

The Safari Rally, which ceased to be a round of the 2015 FIA African Rally Championship, will be the next event of the KNRC series to be staged in what used to be customary Easter period in April during the old days

Cavenagh’s car halted with transmission failure while Tundo’s car suffered broken brake pipe, which was fixed by the crew in the stage but the crew was not able to proceed further after the car refused to restart.

Ian Duncan also ran out of luck after his Nissan Patrol stopped in the stage with a small fire caused by the exhaust pipe. The flames destroyed part of the gear linkage, which cut short his dream of winning his second consecutive rally after victory in the Guru Nanak Rally last year.

Baryan was the best-placed supercar-driver in the eighth place in one of the two Ford Fiestas that graced the opening round of the 2015 KCB Kenya National Rally Championship.

Other notable performances came from Denis Mwenda, who finished 16th overall despite a broken brake pipe that almost halted his successful debut in the main class driving a Mitsubishi Lancer sponsored by Silverspread.

National Formula Two runner-up champion, Eric Bengi crashed his Toyota Runx out of the rally after an encounter with an ant hill. Galib Hajee’s car stopped with overheating problem.

The Safari Rally, which ceased to be a round of the 2015 FIA African Rally Championship, will be the next event of the KNRC series to be staged in what used to be customary Easter period in April during the old days.

Tapio Laukkanen

Manvir Baryan/Drew Sturrock Ford Fiesta S2000

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PHOTOGRAPHY: ANWAR SIDI

Rajbir Rai/Tim Challen-Ford Fiesta S2000

Raaji Bharij/Jasneil Ghataure-Mitsubishi Evo10

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PHOTOGRAPHY: ANWAR SIDI Alasder Keith/Tariq Malik-Subaru Impreza GC8

Alasdair Keith/Tark Malik-Subaru Impreza

KARAN, SOMEN, ALASDAIR SHINE AS LEO ATTAINS 2WD HATRICK

F

ormer East African 85cc Motocross Champion Karan Patel “KP” was the only competitor who won more than one class last season.

And having made his driving debut during the FCS/RSC Rally at the expansive Migaa Estate, Karan in a Subaru GC8 won both the 2014 KNRC S Class and Division 3 Championship titles with Tauseef Khan calling his pace-notes.

His fight for the S Class championship with Aladsair Keith was decided on home stretch.

Naivasha-based Keith however settled for the KNRC Division 2 title but then sold

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his GC8 to Nadeem Kana at the end of the season.

Karan won the S class in Safari to boost his campaign for the coveted crown. Son of retired navigator Kiran Patel of Jet Link, Karan had indeed shocked the rally fraternity with top 10 finishes more so during Safari Rally in Nanyuki where he finished in a credible 9th overall place and Kisumu where he came 5th contrary to all expectations.

Tauseef and Karan finished 5th overall in the 2014 Guru Nanak Rally to secure the Group S championship and the Division 3 championships.

“The car was mechanically sound and that

was down to thorough preparation by the Chief engineer Raju,” commented Karan.

Jonathan Somen savored his maiden career classic car championship title navigated in the company of Richard Hechle. Somen finished Kisumu Rally 2014 in a career best 10th overall place. Going into the seasonclosing Guru Nanak, the classic class was a two-horse race pitting Somen against veteran Aslam Khan. But Somen was declared the champion on the 2014 Champion on the eve of the Sikh Union organised event when Aslam fell ill in Naivasha.

After the 2014 dust finally settled, Somen sung praises of his partner Hechle for a year

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Jonathan Somen/Richard Heckle-Ford Escort

Leo Varese/Kigo Kareith-Toyota Corolla

Karan Patel/Tauseef Khan

of flawless navigating in the local rally championship culminating in their winning the 2014 classic car championship with a perfect score of class wins in every event they entered last year.

“Our best overall result in the main rally was 10th in the Kisumu round.

Massive thanks also to Jim Heather Hayes for a perfect car all season - our trusty mk2 Ford Escort! Thanking you both and everyone else who supported us throughout the year especially wives and family! Onwards and upwards in 2015!”

Two Wheel Drive’s Eric Bengi was very competitive with his Run X but had his championship campaign literally stymied with mechanical problems. Winning the Safari Rally in 24th overall position was however a big leap to his championship campaign. The 2WD early pacesetter was indeed the 2014 2WD Champion Nadeem Kana who drew the first blood during the season- opening Malindi Rally which he finished 19th overall. Malindi only

had two 2WD finishers in Nadeem Gurmit. But Leo bounced back with winning Machakos and Kiambu rallies. Eldama Revine saw Leo settle for fourth place but then retired in Safari with an electrical problem.

Disabled. Driver Nikhil Sachania was impressive in SPV class, which saw him emerge the winner in Safari. Ian Duncan won the SPV in Guru Nanak Rally, which registered four finishers in the class. Adin Haq and Sabry Hashim were second in SPV during the GN followed by the Bundu Racing Team of Rashmider Bhabra and Pavit Kenth (Nissan Patrol) and Mickey Hughes (Range Rover). Karan and Nikhil are eagerly looking to secure sponsors for this year. Nikhil is unique to the Kenyan motorsports championship as he is paraplegic. Nikhil and Karan have grown up together and started rallying as a team.

The duos are both getting upgraded cars this year and they hope to catch the eye of many in the 2015 seasons.

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Rallies Commission effect major changes to 2015 NCRs

I

n a bid to inject requisite professionalism and make the rally-sport a lot more vibrant, fairer, safer and competitorfriendly, KMSF’s Rallies Commission, led by Dr. Supee Soin, effected some significant changes to the National Competition Rules (NCRs) for 2015.

Key amendments to this year’s NCRs came to fruition as a result of a wider consultative initiative with clubs and experienced technical stakeholders. The general consensus was that previous actions by some organisers had come a cropper, hence the need to revamp the fortunes of the “man and machine” game.

Worthy of note is the fact that most drivers are happy with the current state of affairs.

Some of the key changes include the introduction of a new points scoring system for drivers and navigators that’s analogous to the Formula 1 Grand Prix format.

In the new scoring system, the winner in of a KNRC event scores a maximum of 25 points followed by 21, 18, 15, 12, 10, 8. 6, 4, 3 and 2 for the finishers.

This is a far cry from the previous system, which handed winners 80 points with the second placed competitor trailing with a 20point difference.

Another change is the fact that classes have been increased what with the introduction of the premier class. The Premier class is a composition of top 11 fastest drivers. The rest

of the classes (Div. 1, 2, 3, 2WD, SPV, S, Group N and Classic were retained.

The inclusion of R5, which is an addition by Federation International de l’Automobile, FIA, is another first.

In relation to global motorsport, governed by the FIA, Group R refers to a set of regulations providing production-derived vehicles for outright competition. The Group R regulations were created in 2012 as a replacement for Group A and Group N cars, and took effect from 2013.

No new cars will be homologated under Group A or Group N regulations, and instead existing cars are reclassified according to Group R rules. As part of its structure, the Group R regulations have a provision for GT cars, known as RGT. Group R consists of six classes, designated R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6 and RGT; some of these groups will contain their own sub-groups, with cars allocated to each group based on their weight, engine size and powertrain. Teams and drivers are sorted into a specific championship based on the class their car fits into.

[6] Cars classified as R1, R2 and R3 contest the World Rally Championship-3 for two-wheel drive cars; specially prepared R3T cars are also used in the Junior World Rally Championship. Cars classified as R4 and R5 compete in the World Rally Championship-2 alongside existing Super 2000 and Group N Production Cars. Cars classified as RGT compete in the R-GT Cup.

KMSF’s Rallies Chairman Dr. Supi Soin

What the new rallies commission has achieved thus far:

1. Safety- deviating from populated public roads to private ranch stages 2. Media- introducing a media department- by and large- attracting more media mileage across electronic, social and print media networks.

3. Restoring competitor confidence 4. Revamping the organizational set-up by ensuring clubs remain vibrant and effective at all times 5. Recommending the planned acquisition of the new timing system (clocks) from Switzerland.

6. Sourcing for a dedicated zero car sponsor (Toyota Kenya) The Rallies Commission 2015 has in team: Dr. Supee Soin (Chairman) Musa Locho.

Kishen Sachania.

Pipi Renu.

Gurvir Bhabra.

Deepak Dodhia.

Keval Bhanderi.

Anwar Sidi.

Raju Chagger

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DISABILITY IS NOT INABILITY From a wheelchair to racing a Fiat Grande Punto S2000!

S

ometimes in the world of sports in general and motor sports specifically you hear a story that is so inspiring that it must be shared. Such is the case with Nikhil Sachania-winner of the 2014 Safaricom SOYA disability award.

Nikhil is set to become the first motor sport personality with a major disability to race the state-of-the-art S2000 contraption in East Africa.

The Nairobi based race driver’s story shows just how far determination can take you.

Nikhil’s accident happened in Athi River three years back while he was training with Shazar Anwar and Zane Young.

“We were actually trying to get ready for my first Rally Raid event with a quad. I hit a rock at high speed and landed head first.

The impact shattered my spine and the rest

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is history.”

“I feel it is a real honour to be the first paraplegic in the region to race in a Fiat Grande Punto S2000 and I am very grateful to my dad (Dinesh Sachania) for the opportunity. It was tough trying to get family members to believe that a paraplegic could actually drive a race car let alone be competitive in a race car.”

Fiat Grande Punto were the first S2000s to hit Kenyan competitive stages in 2007 when Fiat Abath works team ran two cars in the then all-new Intercontinental Rally Challenge (IRC). The two Fiats were driven by Umberto Scandola and Andrea Navara.

“S2000s have been proven on our soil as competitive cars when the IRC was still around. The main reason would be that the car was ready to race with the hand controls and suitable for a disabled driver. No modifi-

cations will be needed,” said Nikhil.

“The controls of the Fiat are around the wheel. There is a ring in the front of the steering wheel which is the accelerator and there is a ring at the back of the wheel which is the brake. It is a sequential gearbox and is fitted with and electronic clutch which is located on the gear lever. The first few rallies I will be taking it easy as I have to change my driving style, learn the car and get used to the new controls. The Challenger is a completely different car. The Fiat will be a fresh start; back to basics- I guess. I’m lucky to be the 4th person in Kenya after (Carl) Tundo, (Alastair) Cavenagh and Quentin (Mitchell) to bring in such a car. It feels great.”

Asked what it takes to be a paraplegic rally driver, Nikhil had this to say: “As long as you can show you are competent and safe behind the wheel, there is no reason why you >>

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The controls of the Fiat are around the wheel. There is a ring in the front of the steering wheel which is the accelerator and there is a ring at the back of the wheel which is the brake. It is a sequential gearbox and is fitted with and electronic clutch which is located on the gear lever. The first few rallies I will be taking it easy as I have to change my driving style, learn the car and get used to the new controls..” can’t compete in motor sport, whatever your disability.”

Motorsport’s most famous disabled driver is Alex Zanardi, who lost both legs in 2001 but has since been a race winner in the FIA World Touring Car Championship. In Kenya, Sam Jethwa made history by surviving the demanding EA Safari Classic in a handcontrolled Peugeot. Jethwa later navigated in the KNRC before going into sabbatical.

“I have always loved motor sports, I can’t remember my first encounter but it would be from stories of my dad’s rallying days in the 1980’s. Well, during my rehabilitation, there were 2 or 3 people that were driving so driving never really left my mind. As soon as I had enough strength I jumped into the first car I could get. There are a lot of different mechanisms and gadgets available I guess it is just what each individual is comfortable with. My father inspired me to

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get into rallying. My uncle (Kiran Patel) also gave me some invaluable advice or guidanceso I always knew whom to turn too. The first 3-4 months were the hardest, since I had also broken my left hand. Getting around was very difficult and frustrating. Once I got back everything was back to normal. Work the next day and partying over the weekends! I have always wanted to race no matter what. I love the feeling! At the moment my goal is coming to grips with he new car; from there on, I’ll take it as it comes. My old car (Mitsubishi Challenger) was acquired locally. My Co-driver (Charan Singh) built it.

The hand controlled Challenger is a simple push and pull lever mechanism- pull to accelerate and push to brake.”

Nikhil studied project management in the United Kingdom. He works at Samani Construction Ltd as a Project Manager.

For him, work always comes first then

play follows. His SPV car has been at work so it is fairly easy to check up on it once or twice a day.

“It is really fun! It feels like you are driving in a monster truck,” quips Nikhll.

Safari Rally 2014 was a great experience for the disabled driver.

“It was always a dream to take part in such an event. The rally very well organised and the stages a good mix of rough, fast and twisty. On the first day we led the SPV class by almost a minute. On Day 2 we stopped to help a 2WD car that was stuck in the ditch on Loldiga. Unfortunately their tow rope would release of our car. We lost quite a bit of time as the car behind caught us. We overtook them later in the stage but at the end of day we lost our position in the SPV and overall. Day 3 we pushed the car as much we could on Loldiga to come and finish first in our class.”

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2015 Kenya Rally Championship Results

KCB Malindi Rally Round 1 1.Carl Tundo/Tim Jessop (EVO9) 1:56.55 2. Boldy Chager/Ravi Soni (EVOX) 1:57.52 3. Jassi Chatthe/Gugu Panesar (EVOX) 1:59.22 4. Manvir Baryan/Drew Sturrock (Sub N16) 2:00.32 5. Onkar Rai/Des Page Morris (EVOX) 2:02.19 6. Rajbir Rai/Tim Challen (EVOX) 2:02.29 7. Alex Horsey/Nick Dames (EVOX) 2:13.43 8. Jasmeet Chana/Ravi Chana (EVO9) 2:16.09 9. Naushad Kara/Kailesh Chauhan (Subaru N12) 2:18.59 10. Quentin Mitchell/Harry Green (SubN16) 2:24.40 11. Alasdair Keith/Tariq Malik (Subaru GC8) 2:2712 12. Hussein Malik/Steve Njenga (EVO8) 2:28.48 13. Nadeem Kana/James Mwangi (Subaru Impreza) 2:40.44 14. Asad Anwar/ Kashif Shaikh (EVOX) 2:46.29 15. Gurmit Thethy/DP Kalsi (VW Golf MK3) 2:48.03 16. Tejvir Rai/Zahir Shah (Subaru N16) 2:56.13 17. Mahesh Halai/Dinesh Halai (Subaru N12) 2:57.37 18. Anwar Pandya/D Mehangra (Subaru N12) 3:02.51 19. Nzioka Waita/Laban Cliff (EVO9) 3:28.40 20. Don Smith/Bob Kaugi (Subaru N14) 3:35.12 21. Eric Njogu/T Kimondo (Subaru Legacy) 4:05.14

KCB Machakos Rally: Round 2

1. Baldev Chager/Ravi Soin, Mitsubishi EVO 10, 01.36.08.00 2. Rajbir Rai/Timothy Challen, Mitsubishi EVO 10, 01.38.17.00 3. Jasmeet Chana/Ravi Chani, (Mitsubishi EVO 9) 01.45.53.00 4. Hardeep Rehsi/Jasper Matharu (Mitsubishi EVO 9) 01.49. 32.00 5. Steve Gacheru/Linet Ayuko, (Subaru Impreza) 01.51.32.00 6. Don Smith/Bob Kaugi, (Subaru Impreza) 01.52.15.00 7. Asad Khan/Nahreen Ismail (Subaru Legacy) 01.53.31.00 8. James Kirimi/Evans Mwenda, (Subaru Impreza) 01.53.40.00 9. Alisdair Keith/Tariq Malik (Subaru Impreza) 01.53.44.00 10. Pierro Canobio/Michele Felaini (Mitsubishi EVOX) 01.53.56.00 11. Frank Tundo/Natsaha Di Cangio (Mitsubishi EVO 9) 01.54.47.00 12. Ronak Shah/Rihaz Ismail, (Subaru Impreza N12) 01.55.34.00 13. Mahesh Halal/Ketan Halal, (Subaru Impreza N12) 01.56.09.00 14. Leonardo Varese/Kigondu Kareithi (Toyota Corolla RSI) 02.03.08.00 15. Nadeem Kana/James Mwangi (Subaru Impreza) 02.05.42.00 16. Eric Bengi/Tony Gikuhi, (Toyota Runx) 02.06.49.00 17. Ramesh Vishram/Rohit Bhudia (Ford Escort Mark II) 02.08.08.00 18. Dennis Mwenda/Edward NjorogeToyota Sprinter, 02.08.15.00 19. Gumeet Thethy/Dapinder Kaisi, VW Golf M2, 02.11.16.00 20. Charan Thethy/Vinay Shah (Daewoo Cielo) 02.11.29.00 21. Paras Pandya/Falgun Bhojak (Subaru Impreza) 02.12.25.00 22. Eric Njogu/Tony Kimondo (Subaru Impreza N10) 02.13.47.00 21. Steven Mwangi/Seven Nyori (Subaru Impreza) 02.29.14.00 22. Charan Chauhan/Pritpal Chana (Mitsubishi Challenger) 02.35.36.00 23. Edward Maina/John Ngugi, (Toyota Celica) 02.41.05.00 24. Caroline Gatimu/Margaret Mungai (Toyota Levin) 03.40.53.00

KCB Kiambu Rally Round 3

1. Carl “Flash” Tundo/Tim Jessop (Proton ST200) 1:58.22 2. Ian Duncan/Amaar Slatch (EVOX) 1:59.08 3. Quentin Mitchell/Harry Green (Subaru N16) 1:59.38 4. Jassi Singh Chatthe/Dave Sihoka (EVOX) 2:01.43 5. Peter Horsey/Bella Erskine (EVOX) 2:05.14 6. Jasmeet Chana/ Ravi Chana (EVO9) 2:11.32 7. Alasdair Keith/Tariq Maliq (Subaru GC8) 2:17.11 8. Tejvir Rai/Zahir Shah (Subaru N16) 2:21.35 9. Taiti Wachira/Mutuma M’Marimba (EVO6) 2:21.42 10. Karan Patel/Tauseef Khan (Subaru GC8) 2:24.12 11. Joost Zurbier/Hanig Machiel (Toyota Tornado) 2:26.29 12. Leonardo Varese/ Kigo Kareithi (Toyota Celica RSI) 2:34.09 13. Dennis Mwenda/E. Njoroge (Toyota Sprinter GT) 2:34.29 14. Hapz Sagoo/Gurveer Padhal (Subaru N10) 2:35.27 15. Steve Mwangi/Steve Nyorri (Subaru N10) 2:38.46 16. Joel Muchiri/Julius Mwachuya (Subaru GC8) 2:39.54 17. Rashid Kabi/Allan Muhindi (Subaru N11) 2:48.51 18. Nishal Shah/Avhit Bhij (VW Golf) 2:58.47 19. Evans Kamau Njacha/James Kinyanjui (Subaru N10) 3:04.58

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KCB Nakuru Rally Round 4

1. Rajbir Rai/Tim Challen (EVOX) 2:07.59 2. Baldev Chager/Ravi Soni (EVOX) 2:09.35 3. Ian Duncan/Amaar Slatch (EVO9) 2:09.58 4.Jaspreet Chatthe/Gurdeep S. Panesar (EVOX) 2:13.04 5. Onkar S. Rai/Gavin Laurence EVOX) 2:16.54 6. Azar Anwar/Julius Ngige (EVO8) 2:17.10 7. Petter Horsey/Bella Erskine (EVOX) 2:17.41 8. Alasdair Keith/Tariq Maliq (Subaru GC8) 2:23.28 9. Jasmeet Chana/Ravi Chana (EVO9) 2:25.41 10. Mahesh Halai/Ketan Dinesh Halai (Subaru N12) 2:28.35 11. Ronak Shah/R. Ismail (Subaru N12) 2:30.30 12. Karan Patel/Tausef Khan (subaru GC8) 2:30.36 13. Jonathan Somen/Richard Hechle (Ford Escort) 2:30.45 14. Steven Mwangi/Steven Nyorri (SubaruN10) 2:31.39 15. Eric Njogu/Tonny Kimondo (Subaru N8) 2:33.41 16. Manmeet Singh/A. Mirza (Subaru STI) 2:34.34 17. Aslam Khan/Farhaaz. Khan (Porsche 911) 2:35.17 18. Iain Freestone/Absalom Aswani (Ford Escort MKII) 2;36.51 19. Gurmit Thethy/Depinder Kalsi (VW Golf MK2) 2:38.05 20. Eric Bengi/Tony Gikuhi ((Toyota RunX) 2:42.58 21. Jitendra Dhokia/Vinay Shah (Subaru N10) 2:45.18 22. Don Smith/Bob Kaugi (Subaru) 2:45.18 23. Rashid Kabi/A. Muhindi (Subaru) 2:46.46 24. Edward Maina/J. Ngugi (Subaru N10) 2:51.10 25. Dennis Mwenda/Edward Njoroge (Toyota Sprinter GT) 2:52.21 26. Leonardo Varese/Kigondu Kareithi (Toyota Corolla RSI) 2:53.18 27. Nadeem Kana/James Mwangi (Subaru Impreza) 3:00.14 28. Rob Hellier/Mike Huth (Datsun 160J) 3:01.10 29. Murage Waigwa/Qui Mungai (Subaru) 3:02.22 30. Evans Kamau/j. Mwachuya (Subaru) 3:13.34 31. Nikhil Sachania/C. Singh (Mitsubishi Challenger) 3:22.25

2014 KNRC KCB M-Benki Nanyuki Rally Round 5

1. Jaspreet Chatthe/Dave Sihoka (EVOX) 1h49m33s 2. Raaji Bharij/Jasneil S. Ghataure (EVO9) 1h54m16s 3. Azar Anwar/Julius Ngige (EVO8) 1h55m08s 4. Jasmeet Chana/Ravi Chana (EVO9) 1h57m18s 5. Issa Amwari/Job Njiru (EVO9) 2h00m56s 6. Steve Mwangi/Steven Nyorri (Subaru N10) 2h03m16s 7. Karan Patel/Tauseef Khan (Subaru gc8) 2h04m05s 8. Anwar Pandya/Dipps Mehangra (Subaru) 2h04m28s 9. Carl Tundo/Tim Jessop (EVO9) 2h02m39s 10. Ronak Shah/Riyaz Ismail (Subaru N12B) 2h05m34s 11. Mahesh Halai/Ketan Halai (Subaru) 2h06m45s 12. James Kirimi/Evans Mwenda (Subaru) 2h07m06s 13. Jonathan Somen/Richard Hecle (Ford Escort) 2h07m43s 14. Hussein Malik/George Mwangi (EVO6) 2h07m54s 15. Steve Gacheru /Linet Ayuko (Subaru N10) 2h10m24s 16. Paras Pandya/Falgun Bhojak (Subaru) 2h13m05s 17. Waigwa Murage/Tuta Mionki (Subaru) 2h13m06s 18. Leonardo Varese/Kigo Kareithi (Toyota Corolla RSI) 2h17m28s 19. Dennis Mwenda/Edward Njoroge (Toyota Sprinter GT) 2h18m16s 20. Gurmit Thethy/Depinder Kalsi (VW Golf MK3) 2h19m43s 21. Nadeem Kana/James Mwangi (Subaru) 2h19m44s 22. Rashid Kabi/Allan Muhindi (Subaru) 2h21m09s 23. Taiti Wachira/Eric Nzuva (EVO6) 2h21m43s.

24. Eric Njogu/Tony Kimondo (Subaru Impreza N8) 2h24m16s 25. Sammy Nyorri/Ida Tallam (Toyota Vitz) 2h26m35s 26. Ramesh Vishram/Rohit “Ro Ro” Bhudia (Ford Escort MKII) 2h28m30s 27. Nikhil Sachania/ C. Singh (Mitsubishi Challenger) 2h28m31s 28. Chandrakant Devji/Jonathan Kosgei (Subaru) 2h28m58 29. Joan Nesbitt/Tamara Jones (Toyota Tercel) 2h37m58s 30. Alex Lairangi/Tony Gichohi (VW Golf MKII) 2h43m24s

KCB Safari Rally 2014 Round 6

1. Baldev Chager/Ravi Soni (EVOX) 02:47.13 2. Carl Tundo/Tim Jessop (Proton) 2:48.24 3. Manvir Baryan/Drew Sturrock (Subaru N16) 2:52.06 4. Quentin Mitchell/Nicholas Camara (Scoda Fabia S2000) 2:52.23 5. Azar Anwar/Julius Ngigi (EVO8) 2:57.27

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6. Tejvir Rai/Zahir Shah (EVOX) 3:01.59 7. Duncan Mubiru/Musa Nsubuga (Subaru) 3:02.10 8. Jasmeet Chana/Ravi Chana (EVO9) 3:02.50 9. Karan Patel/Tauseef Khan (Subaru GC8) 3:05.29 10. Ronak Shah/Riyaz Ismail (Subaru N12B) 3:05.49 11. Steven Mwangi/Steve Nyorri (Subaru N10) 3:07.47 12. Mahesh Halai/Ketan Halai (Subaru N12) 3:08.11 13. Imran Mogul/Adnan Din (Subaru N10) 3:09.07 14. Alasdair Keith/Tariq Maliq (Subaru GC8) 3:10.07 15. Amaanraj Rai/Imran Khan (Subaru) 3:10.17 16. Raaji Bharij/Jasneil Ghataure (EVO9) 3:11.23 17. Ghalib Hajee/Bharat Pattni (EVOX) 3:12.08 18. Steve Gacheru/Absalom Aswani (Subaru N10) 3:13.57 19. Hussein Malik/George Mwangi (EVO6) 3:18.14 20. Jonathan Somen/Richard Hechle (Ford Escort MK2) 3:18.31 21. David Kioni/Mwangi Kioni (Subaru GC8) 3:20.07 22. Khalfan Athman/Abdulaziz Athaman (EVO9) 3:23.26 23. Aslam Khan/Keith Henrie (Porsche 911) 3:23.33 24. Eric Bengi/Tony Gikuhi (Toyota RunX) 3:23.33 25. Rob Hellier/Mike Huth (Datsun 160J) 3:25.55 26. Hapz Sagoo/Gurveer Pandhal (Subaru EVOX) 3:26.34 27. Don Smith/Bob Kaugi (Subaru) 3:31.09 28. Ranjeet Sehmi/ Iain Freestone (Ford Escort MK1) 3:35.08 29. Nikhil Sachania/C. Singh (Mitsubishi Challenger) 3:37.51 30. Rashid Kabi/Allan Muhindi (Subaru) 3:37.59 31. Rupesh Chouhan/Dhanraj Matharu (Land Rover Tomcat) 3:38.39 32. Mohammed Noor/Hassan Saleh (Subaru) 3:38.46 33. Chandu Chandrakant/Jonathan Kosgey (Subaru GC8) 3:43.19 34. Ramesh Vishram/Rohit Budhia (Ford Escort) 4:07.30 35. Jonathan Jessel/Linet Ayuko (Land Rover) 4.21.38

KCB KISUMU RALLY Round 7

1.Rajbir Rai/Tim Challen (EVOx) 1:28.12 2. Carl Tundo/Tim Challen (Proton) 1:28.48 3. Azar Anwar/Julius Ngigi (EVO8) 1:31.11 4. Baldev Chager/Ravi Soni (EVOx) 1:32.01 5. Karan patel/Tauseef Khan (Subaru GC8) 1:32.38 6. Jasmeet Chana/Ravi Chana (EVOX) 1:33.02 7. Ronak Shah/Riyaz Ismail (Subaru N12) 1:34.30 8. Ghalib Hajee/Bharat Pattni (EVOX) 1:37.16 9. Farhaaz Khan (Subaru N10) 1:40.45 10. Jonathan Somen/Richard Heckle (Ford Escort MK2) 1:43.10 11. Aslam Khan (Porsche) 1:44.06 12. Mahesh Halai/Ketan Halai (Subaru N12) 1:48.10 13. Leo Varese/Kigo Kareithi (Toyota Corolla RSI) 1:50.37 14. Dennis Mwenda/Edward Njoroge (Toyota Sprinter) 1:51.22 15. Chandu Devji Chhabhadia (Subaru GC) 1:58.27 16. Steve Mwangi (Subaru N10) 1:58.52 17. Ranjeet Sehmi 1:59.14 18. Jitendra Dhokia (Subaru) 2:01.05 19. Nadeem Kana (Subaru) 2:10.05

2014 (35TH) KCB GURU NANAK RALLY Round 8 1. Ian Duncan – (Nissan Patrol) 1:47.12 2. Rajbir Rai – (EVOX) 1:47.14 3. Manvir Baryan – (Subaru) 1:53.33 4. Raaji Singh Bharij – (EVO9) 1:54.42 5. Karan Patel – (Subaru GC8) 1:55.50 6. Onkar Singh Rai – (EVO9) 1:56.17 7. Azar Anwar – (EVO8) 1:57.35 8. Steve Gacheru – (Subaru N10) 2:01.47 9. Jasmeet Chana – (EVOX) 2:02.09 10. Imran Mogul – (Subaru N10) 2:02.55 11. Eric Bengi – (Toyota RunX) 2:05.09 12. Alasdair Keith – (Subaru GC8) 2:05.25 13. Steve Mwangi – (Subaru N10) 2:06.40 14. Ronak Shah – (Subaru N12) 2:10.23 15. Ranjeet Sehmi – (Ford Escort MK1) 2:12.06 16. Tejvir Rai – (EVOX) 2:12.19.

17. Rob Hellier – (Datsun 160J) 2:13.24 18. Murage Waigwa – (GC8) 2:15.40 19. Don Smith – (Subaru) 2:15.44

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20. Dennis Mwenda – (Toyota Sprinter GT) 2:17.12 21. Nadeem Kana – 2:22.43 22. Rajesh Maini – (Ford) 2:24.37 23. Alex Lairangi – (VW MK2) 2:28.37 24. Rashid Kabi – (Subaru) 2:28.43 25. Adin Haq – (R. R. Ebowler) 2:33.38 26. Leo Varese – (Toyota Corolla RSI) 2:33.44 27. Rashminder Bhamra – (Nissan Patrol) 2; 36.24 28. Imran Khan – 2:41.45 29. Sammy Nyorri – 2:42.27 30. Alykhan Malik – (Subaru) 2:43.31 31. Mikey Hughes – (Range Rover) 2:46.20 32. Nishal Shah – (VW Golf GTI) 3:04.59

Hussein Malik/George Mwangi-Mitsubishi Evo6

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Toyota Kenya’s unswerving support of KNRC

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eading motor company Toyota Kenya have since last season partnered with Kenya Motor Sports Federation (KMSF) in co-sponsoring the prestigious KCB Kenya National Rally Championship (KNRC) series which also incorporates the prestigious Safari Rally.

The sponsorship package worth Ksh. 5million includes a dedicated Toyota Land Cruiser SZ D95 “Zero Car” for all events; so organisers have no headache of sourcing for a suitable route-opener for the same.

During the forthcoming KCB Safari Rally 2015, Toyota Kenya will play a leading role in the provision of motoring services. Safari Rally-now in its 63rd edition- is indeed one of

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Kenya’s longest running sporting events after the Tannahill Easter Golf Shield and rugby’s Enterprise Cup. Last year, Toyota provided a “Zero Car” in half of the events, which was indeed a major boost for organizers.

The Land Cruiser has proven to be very effective on ragged terrains.

Previously people have been reluctant to use their personals on route opening and Toyota’s boost being seen by the racing fraternity as ‘Godsend’.

This year, the Company has strengthened the Land Cruiser and increased the budget with the inclusion of full equipment that now incorporates an FIA approved roll-cage, com-

petition kit as well as all navigational gadgets.

“We are glad that Toyota Kenya has renewed this partnership to cover the full season of KNRC 2015. What’s more, this is by and large a big load off KMSF, the Rallies Commission and motor clubs who organize the events. The car has been rebuild to withstand attrition and now fits our requirements for route opening,” said Musa Locho, a former rally driver and Rallies Commission chief delegate.

Raju Chaggar, a retired rally competitor and winner of Ben Muchemi’s inaugural memorial trophy, is the man who has been assigned by Rallies Commission to drive the Land Cruiser for the whole season.

The “Zero Car” is an advance car which runs through the entire route course of a rally prior to the first rally car’s run.

With Kenya’s rugged terrains requiring a specially prepared machine, Toyota Kenya must have come on board at an opportune time to boost the organizational setup.

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