Baldev Chager in an Evolution 10 dahses to the last control in kajiado rtally last February
NAIROBI, Kenya, May 30 – Competitors will this weekend have a feel of the route course for the 64th KCB Safari Rally slated to run on private farm roads around Nairobi, Soysambu and Elemntaita on the weekend of June 10-12.
Drivers will be out on recce this Saturday and Sunday from 6am to 6pm after which they will embark on their final phase of preparations.
“As always reconnaissance is used help drivers and navigators prepare for reconnaissance familiarise with the route course. The good thing this time round is the fact that the event is running entirely on farm roads away from the hustle and bustle of human and motor traffic which is key towards the event’s safety plan.
“This means that competitors can tackle stages flat-out without the fear of encountering traffic on the sections,” Rally Manager Rohit Bhudia announced.
Rohit added that entries are still trickling in at the KMSF secretariat at Sikh Union Nairobi and more are expected by the close of deadline on Thursday at 4pm.
Thirty drivers have already entered the event which counts towards the 2016 KCB Kenya National Rally Championship.
Four times winner Carl “Flash” Tundo, ‘Flying Finn’ Tapio Laukkanen, Baldev Chager, Jaspreet Chatthe and Ian Duncan are among the big names enlisted for the event.
Tundo will be co-driven by Tim Jessop while Tapio who currently is the fastest driver at the present will team up with compatriot Passi Torma in a Subaru Impreza R4.
Other entrants include rookies and KNRC regulars.
Imran Mogul of Nairobi has entered an ex -Naushad Kara Subaru N12 and will be navigated by Adnan Din of Mombasa.
Osman Abdullahi who made his debut in Kisumu with 13th overall position will be making his first appearance in the Safari in an ex Paras Pandya Subaru Impreza N10 same as Rehan Shah who is driving a Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution 9.
The Classic Car Class has attracted two drivers. They are Ramesh Vishram and Jonathan Somen both with Ford Escorts.
Crews will be flagged off from KICC grounds from 10am to tackle the 2.2km Jamuri Park spectator stage from midday before embarking on a 130km transport road section through to Lake Elementaita Lodge for the overnight ‘perc ferme’.
Day Two, Saturday June 11, will be the longest and toughest of the event featuring six stages totaling 154.00kms around Soysambu and Elementaita region.
The final leg on Sunday June 12 contains three stages totaling 66km, around Delemare East/Jolai, Delamere West/Milia and the 1km Lodge Spectator Stage which is the events shortest section.
The longest stage of the event which will be repeated twice is the 40km stretch running from Soysambu Gate all the way to the Lake End.
KNRC Standings after Kisumu Rally :-
- Baldev Chager 37
- Manvir Baryan 33
- Rajbir Rai 29
- Tapio Laukkanen 27
- Ian Duncan 21
- Jassi Chatthe 20
- Onkar Rai 18
- Carl Tundo 15
- Karan Patel 12
- Izhar Mirza 10
- Frank Tundo 10.
