NAIROBI, Kenya February 9 – Carl ‘Flash’ Tundo’s quest to regain the Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) Kenya National Rally title started with a win in Sunday’s KCB Biashara Banking Rally.
For Tundo, who was driving a Mitsubishi EVO 9, it was a moment of joy after a rather jinxed run last season that saw him roll in Kilifi.
It was his first win since the KCB S&L Rally in Olepolos and quite an enterprising way to start the season on his first outing with the Mitsubishi.
With Lee Rose and defending KNRC champion Baldev Chager absent, the fight for Eldoret diadem was a fierce battle pitting Alastair Cavenagh and Tundo.
Cavenagh led the rally by a mere 1 second into the first loop but Tundo pulled through in the second loop. This was Tundo’s first win since the KCB S&L Rally 2008.
“I am happy for the win and most importantly that Dalbit team has made a 1-2 finish. I a happy that Cavenagh swept the road for me to attack,” Tundo said.
Azar Anwar, also on his first drive on the ex-Cavenagh EVO 8, was happy with third despite trailing Tundo by a 3.03minutes margin. Ian Duncan came fourth overall. “It’s a bit difficult when you get to adjust to new settings and the idea is just to drive sensibly,” Azar said.
Charles Hinga won the 2WD Class to make up for his misfortunes last season.
Hinga navigated by Evans Mwenda rediscovered his winning ways in the 2WD thus opening a 20 points lead in the series from defending champion Leonardo Varese.
Hinga returned his Toyota Levin in 1.02.11hours beating Leo by a 1.12minutes margin.
“It was a bit scary but luckily we didn’t go off. We pushed sensibly but had to slow in the last stage when we saw Jasmeet (Chana) by the roadside,” said Hinga.
Munir Khan came home thid and last in 2WD class. Other casualties in the 2WD were Adnain Suhail and James Kinoti.
Eldoret once again lived up to expectation with a quite large spectator turnout witnessed on the stages and slightly under 5,000 spotted at the service park in Iten.
The CS1 Viewpoint-Singore was difficult for the drivers and its here that Don Smith (Subaru N12) and Rex Omolleh (Subaru Legacy) bowed out.
Rommy Bhamra retired also on CS1 with a broken driveshaft. Jaswinder Chana in a Toyota Celica GT4 retired after he was caught by an embarkment. Out of the six that entered the 2WD only three managed the full course. There were 13 finishers out of 23 starters.
PROVISION RESULTS
2WD RESULTS
1. Charles Hinga/E Mwenda ( Toyota Levn) 1.02.11
2. Leo Varese/Kigondu Kareithi (VW Golf) 1.03.23
3. Munir Khan/am Jethwa ( Toyota evin) 1.09.16
KNRC
1. Carl Tundo/Tim Jessop (EVO9) 1.38.14
2. A. Cavenagh/Salim Haji (EVO9) 1.39.27
3. Azar Anwar/Julius Ngigi (EVO 8) 1.41.17
4. Ian Duncan/A. Slatch (Nissan Patrol) 1.44.31
5. Iain Freestone/Imran Khan (Ford Escort RS) 1.48.22
6. Izhar Mirza/Arshad Khan (Subaru) 1.49.32
7. Anwar Pandya/G Mwangi (Subaru N10) 1.54.07
8. Galib Hajee/K Archaria (Subaru N10)1.57.34
9. Dinesh Sachania/Kiran patel (EVO6) 2.00.01
KNRC STANDINGS
1. Tundo 80points
2. Cavenagh 60
3. Azar Anwar 50
4. Ian Duncan 40
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