NAIROBI, Kenya December 6 – The 2011 National Rally Championship comes to a resounding conclusion this weekend with the stage set for the third place battle between former national champion Azar Anwar and Jas Mangat.
Veteran driver Ian Duncan and Carl Tundo had already sewn up the top two places in the main Kenya National Rally Championships (KNRC) category ahead of the season ending KCB Mtaani Rally that will run in Mombasa.
At the same time, the 2WD drive class diadem is still open with James Kirimi and Joel Muchiri vying to succeed last year’s winner Leonardo Varese.
Speaking at a press briefing on Tuesday, Anwar’s navigator Julius Ngigi was optimistic they would seal a podium finish that would ensure they end the campaign in the bronze medal position.
“We have not been able to finish two events and that has not worked for us, but we have to fight for that position,” he added.
Ngigi, who is a pastor and has been Anwar’s long time pace notes reader, expressed their readiness to give it a go in Mombasa.
“Perhaps the party will start on Monday being a holiday and we will see how to enjoy ourselves. I’m looking forward to a good event, it’s going to be interesting but it has its on challenges starting from the logistics.”
After posting some of the fastest times so far this season, Mangat is now ranked joint third with Anwar in the KNRC standings with 195 points.
In the 2WD class the championship battle is wide open with Kirimi and Muchiri aiming for the coveted victory.
“It’s only been one season and I expect to feature in more events next year. I might be going to the main competition if I get the car,” Muchiri, the rallying season debutant expressed.
Alastair Cavenagh and Carl Tundo who are fresh from taking part in the Kenya Airways East Africa Safari Classic Rally will be absent from Mombasa.
With Carl missing from action his father Frank will represent the Tundos and will be navigated by daughter Tash.
Frank has out of action for ages but he will be driving Carl’s Mitsubishi Lancer EVO9.
The first car will be the flagged off outside KCB Mariakani Branch at 7am.
Three stages will repeated twice around Matopeni, Mtaa and Mnyenzeni for the rally where the 2WD cars will cover the first two sections once before completing their run.
