NAIROBI, Thursday 25 – Tanzanian Rally enthusiasts certainly don’t know what’s up the sleeves of Yana/Identisys-sponsored former two-time Kenyan 2WD Champion Jasmeet Chana, but that will be realized when the Tanzanian version of Guru Nanak rally get’s underway in Arusha this Saturday.
Chana will not only testing new grounds in the northern town of Tanzania, but reverting to his championship-winning VW Golf Gti he used when he reigned supreme in the 2009 Formula Two series in Kenya.
The burning question on the lips of fans in the Arusha Motor Sports (AMSC) organized event is: What will be the ultimate fortunes of Chana considering that he has broken from tradition after a short spell with the comparatively powerful Toyota Celica?
Chana, who will be navigated by George Njoroge, was categorical that the Golf machine has the power to tackle the rigors of the Tanzanian terrain just like what it did at the Eldoret rally last February when he ventured into the KNRC series.
“The fact that I’ve changed my machine will not affect my performance. I’ve previously won in a VW Golf before and adjustment will come easy, so Kenyan fans should expect the same input from CRS Motorsport in the Tanzanian tour,” he reassured.
Chana, who wound up 13th overall in the last round of the Guru Nanak Kenyan version last Sunday, said that the fact that he will be competing for the first time outside Kenyan borders adds immense zest on his pursuit for glory.
“You see, competing at home and outside may be different ball games but it’s my utmost belief that a good position is in the offing despite the fact that I will not be in a top-speed Celica. I expect a good race from which I will derive fun as I strive to break new grounds,” he offered
With adrenaline levels expected to rise, the renowned Kenyan driver is shouldered with the daunting task of producing a stellar performance in the event that has since time immemorial been associated with Sikhism.
Chana is the only foreign driver who has so far confirmed to take part in this event.
AMSC chairman, Viren Shah, said the Guru Nanak Rally 2010 serves as the 5th round of the Tanzania National Rally Championship (NRC).
Some of the local entries include Patrice Comtois from Morogoro, Amerjit Dhillon, Jayanti Shah, Sartaj Hans, Navraj Hans, Stephen Lohay, Rishi Lodhia and Nishit Bhatt all from Arusha.
Action starts at 7:00 am from Sunvic Express Yard and is expected to finish at Sunvic Express Yard at 15:10 the same day.
A prize-giving ceremony will take place at Sunvic soon after the release of final results.
Arusha Motor Sports Club has unveiled new routes for the fifth round of the National Rally Championship planned to be flagged off later this month. The one-day rally will take place in the northern Tanzania region on November 27, according to Shah.
The first section will see the cars speed off from Olyset Net and complete the leg at Kisongo flying finish after covering Panone and Morum sections.
From Mateves Service park, the drivers will head to Jeshini and finish at Olyset net.
The third section, according to Shah, will be flagged off at Olyset net from where the cars will head to Kisongo via Morum and Panone.
ISM-Panone route will host the fourth stage before the cars complete the final stage at Jeshini-Olyset Net section. Kenyan Jasmin Chana is among the drivers that have so far confirmed participation, making the Guru Nanak Rally the second event in the country to attract foreign driver after the Kobil Rally in February this year.
