NAIROBI, Kenya, August 21- Battle lines have been drawn ahead of the KCB Advantage Banking showdown in the hilly terrains of Nanyuki over the weekend.
Among Kenya National Rally Championship (KNRC) main competition drivers going for top honours is former national champion Azar Anwar who will be banking on his experience to return to winning ways during the two day event.
The three-time champion has not managed a podium finish since the Eldoret Rally last year and will capitalize on his more than 35 years on the road to close the gap on the KNRC frontrunners.
“We have been having problems with the car engine but finally we have acquired a new one in readiness for the long distance we will cover in this challenge.
“I understand it’s going to be a tough course with the mountainous twists and turns plus the dust but hope that with proper preparations during the recce, we will try post some good time and catch up,” said the former Safari Rally winner during a press briefing on Tuesday.
Quentin Mitchell who narrowly missed out on a top result during the fifth leg held in Ukunda, Kwale last month when he brought his machine a few seconds behind third placed Ian Duncan will be plotting another top-five run in his newly acquired Subaru N16.
“This is my third time in Nanyuki, where we will be trying out the new tyres and suspensions and look forward to push the car in the new attitude and keep up with the leaders like we did in Mombasa.
“Our approach is also meant to help us gain experience, which every kilometre helps us hence we might back off on pushing too hard to make sure we make it to the end and see our new sponsors at the finish,” said Mitchell who will be navigated by the experienced Chris Davies on his debut at the course.
The Warembo Bila Make-Up duo of Stella Macharia and navigator Hellen Shiri will be aiming to keep up with their momentum of making it to the finish in the S-class.
“This leg brings a lot of memories for me since besides growing up in Nanyuki, it’s the place where I nurtured the thought of starting rallying after watching Mitchell in action and I was really impressed.
“We will be going all out not just to gain more experience on our way up but also to make sure we complete the course having sorted out the mechanical problems we had,” expressed Macharia who will be driving a Subaru Impreza.
Ian Duncan will be the first off the ramp to take on the 153km course organised by the Nanyuki Rally Group.
Carl ‘Flash’ Tundo currently tops the KNRC drivers’ standings with 285 points closely followed by Ian Duncan (280) while his Dalbit Petroleum teammate Alistair Cavengah who won the last round is third on 190.
