NAIROBI, Kenya, February 2 – National rally champion Carl Tundo is expecting a formidable challenge to his crown when the Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) National Rally Championship gets underway this weekend.Tundo who will lead 38 cars off the ramp told Capital sport that he believes the superior level of competition will make it difficult to retain the title he has won twice in the past three seasons.
“Defending the championship is always harder than winning it as I learnt in 2008 but I’m confident and I’m looking forward to a very good season,” said Tundo.
“There’s a lot of good drivers out there with great cars so I’m looking forward to it,” he added.
Tundo who is rallying under the Dalbit banner expects his Mitsubishi EVO 9 to serve as well as it did in 2009.
“We completely stripped it and rebuilt the engine so its almost like new and we got the 33mm restrictor so the car should be performing a little bit better and faster so I’m looking forward to driving a quicker car,” said Tundo.
One of Tundo’s main challengers Azar Anwar is also anticipating the start of the season despite the limited resources he has to deal with this time around.
“Our sponsors Oil Libya are not supporting me and my team mate Baldev Chager as much as they were last season but that does not mean we won’t mount a strong challenge,” said Azar.
Azar’s younger brother Asad has been dropped by the team as Oil Libya try to cut back due to the harsh economic climate.
“Asad is still working hard to be at the rally and I’m hopeful that he will make it,” said Azar.
The 212km rally which is being organized by the Western Kenya Motor club will be flagged off outside the KCB Eldoret West Branch at 7 a.m. on Sunday.
The flag off will then be followed by a liaison distance of 14km and then onto Sergoit-Iten stage.
The rally will then head to Iten for the 58km four stage loop that will be repeated to make up a cumulative competitive mileage of 137 km.
