NAIROBI, July 2 – Dave Rose and his uncle John Rose will make a comeback to off-road rallying when Rift Valley Motor and Sports Club plays host to the second round of the National Cross-Country Challenge this Sunday.
Top motorcycle riders, quads, 4x4s and buggies have entered the race and spectators will have a bonus as they witness an intense family battle of the Rose family at the third round of the Kenya National Enduro Championship that will be held at the Ol Maisor Ranch in Rumuruti.
The 1972 Kenya’s Open Class motocross champion John Rose, 60, is spurred on by finishing in the top 10 at last weekend’s KCB Safari Rally that his son Lee Rose won for the first time.
“It’s a good change of scenario from rallying last weekend and over now to bikes. We are excited by Lee’s (Rose) performance last weekend and this is a motivating factor for Rose’s family,” said John.
John is happy with the condition of his KTM 525 bike saying it hands him a taste of the fervour for the challenge. Both John and Dave haven’t competed this season due to commitments at their wheat farm.
John skipped the opening round of the Cross-country to concentrate on the planting season but hasn’t ruled out a win at Sunday’s round.
The event has attracted over 25 competitors. Shazar Anwar, son of rally ace Azar Anwar hopes to consolidate his lead in the quads class in a Bomberdier 650x against defending champion Adam Ogden also in a similar make.
Rally ace Ian Duncan will drive an ‘Attacker 1” while Canada based Kenyan Sunil Patel is set to make a debut on a Polaris quad. He will have to step up a gear if he wishes to hold of the challenge of Ogden and Anwar.
The Rumuruti course is a 35Km loop that will be tackled over a cut-off time of four hours. The winner is the one who make the most laps in the shortest time possible.
Others expected to ride in the bikes class are defending cross-country champion Sean Pelling (Honda 450), vertan rider Moses Mugo (KTM525), Harry Guelker (Honda 450), Jorgen Nielsen (Yamaha 450), Salim WaliMohammed (KTM 250), Steve Scott and Mark Harding.
Fast rising Ken Anunda has entered the cars category in a Toyota Land Cruiser VX. He will be navigated by his father Dave Anunda, has precociously exhibited occasional flashes of brilliance but will have to fight every inch of the way against the likes of Mindo Gatimo (Suzuki), Captain Waiyaki/Charles Mugo (Toyota Land Cruiser).
Veteran rally siblings Asad Anwar and Azar Anwar are expected to show off their skills in this class with their 4×4 machines.
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