NAIROBI, October 14 – Veteran rallying ace Ian Duncan set a blistering pace to claim the seventh round of the Fina Bank National Autocross Championship in Loldaiga near Nanyuki.
This brought to an end the buggy season as the final round (round 8) was brought forward and was staged last month.
Duncan also garnered two bonus points on the new 2Km track with the fastest time of the day (FTD). He had already won the 2008 Autocross Championship despite skipping the eighth round in Nairobi last month and his run in Loldaiga was only a mere formality.
Duncan clocked 11.34.18 minutes in the best of three heat runs after an FTD on heat three. Anthony Nielsen managed second overall position in 11.44.79 minutes but had to contend with Duncan’s dust in the fast and furious action staged 20Km north of Nanyuki town.
It was a good change of scenario in the serene terrain away from the usual Jamhuri Park racetrack. Veteran driver Simon Sharpe clocked 11.47.22. Sharpe has had to struggle after a long break that saw him return to active racing last season.
Rally navigator Keith Henrie was happy with 4th overall in a time of 11.59.35minutes followed by Chirag Soni of Team Magic.
Soni who was sharing the ‘Rob’s Magic Attacker 1’ buggy with Nielsen clocked 12.00.31 munites. It was exciting to see former Jim Heather Hayes back. He came home sixth overall ion 12.12.78.
Hayes is the chief mechanic for the Dalbit Petroleum team of Alasiar Cavenagh and reigning Kenyan Champion Carl Tundo and was one of the top rally drivers in the 80s and was happy to shake off the rust in a Subaru Legacy; classified against the buggies.
ROUND 7 RESULTS
Ian Duncan 11.34.18
Anthony Nielsen 11.44.79
Simon Sharpe 11.47.22
Keith Henrie 11.59.35
Chirag Soni 12.0031
Jim Heather Hayes 12.12.78
Jeremy Mayer 12.10.00
Teddy Ghir 12.34.43
Bruce Cetermole 12.40.52
Shazar Anwar 12.40.59
FINAL AUTOCROSS STANDINGS
1. Ian Duncan 144
2. Anthony Nielsen 99
3. Teddy Ghir 79
4. Simon Sharpe 66
5. Chirag Soni 59
About The Author
