NAIROBI, November 21, 2010 – The 31st edition of the KCB Guru Nanak Rally in Il-Bissel was ended in dramatic fashion but it was double former KNRC champion Lee Rose who really had the last laugh.
However, Rose who lost 116.49minutes in his victory , had no choice but to bid farewell to his longstanding opponents, friends and mechanics in the closing round of the season; ending 11years of his spirited drive on Kenyan soil.
Rose’s Mitsubishi Evolution 9 pulled in to the Simba Union finish ramp amidst thunderous cheers from spectators, but asked if he would be coming back to Kenya for racing, Rose was enthusiastic that he is now going to try his hand on smooth South African roads.
“My Evo9 is now up for sale but I am not sure which car I am going to drive in South Africa,” a febrile Rose said after the momentous win.
This was Rose’s second Guru Nanak victory after winning the coveted round in 2008. But asked about returning to Kenyan sections, Rose quipped: “I don’t see myself returning here (Kenya) in the next few years to come.”
Rose, who made his KNRC debut in 1999 and won back-to-back KNRC titles in 2003 and 2004, is relocating to South Africa whereby unconfirmed reports say he could resort to S-2000 contraption.
The wheat farmer formerly based in Nakuru will be missed by Kenyan fans for his high-octane drive and remembered for setting up the platform to the now fancied (Mitsubishi) “EVO9” craze when he acquired the make in 2008 and compelled top teams to follow suit.
After a very tormenting drive in 2010, Azar Anwar (120.55minutes) secured his best result of the season with second overall place as newly crowned Champion Alastair Cavenagh (122.11minutes) completed the podium dash. Out of the four Ugandan entries, Jas Mangat was the top placed when he returned his car back to Simba Union in fourth overall place.
Africa’s 2009 Pirelli Star driver Peter Horsey was the earlier pacesetter when he led in the first two stages before Rose bounced back forcibly in the preceding stages. Peter broke down on the long 39.8km CS3 stage. Other causalities were Baldev Chager (engine on CS3), Said Hamad (rolled out on CS2 Bull’s Eye stage), Asad Khan and Ian Duncan who retired also at Bull’s Eye with a broken propeller shaft.
