NAIROBI, Kenya, May 17- National Autocross Championships leader, Keith Henrie, says the absence of titleholder Steve Anthony will not dilute Sunday’s round at Nairobi’s Jamhuri Park.
“Now that I have a comfortable lead in the Championship, I look forward to extending it. I understand we have new arrivals and it’s good for the sport as we are all out to have fun,” Henrie who has recorded two wins in the last three said ahead of the Kenya Motor Sports Club (KMSC) organised Autocross 4.
Ricky Aslam, the 2006 Autocross winner, is out to stop the leader’s march to the title having placed second behind Henrie in the previous round in Ganze on April 3.
Aslam will share his ‘Attacker 1’ buggy with Shalien Mughal who is also targeting a high finish at Sunday’s showdown.
The weekend’s meeting is also set to unlock rivalries in the main class as well as the under-24 category with some newcomers already enlisted.
Zimbabwean- born Geoff Mayes, a renowned photojournalist with Mayes Media, will be switching roles to driving.
Mayes’ Kick Energy-sponsored buggy powered by a Suzuki motorbike engine is currently being prepared by Simon Sharpe.
Shahazim Esmail is also set to make his debut as Jazz Nadhra makes his second appearance.
The 18-year-old Amaanraj Rai, son of legendary two-times Kenyan Rally Champion Sarbi Rai, is also making his Autocross debut.
Amaanraj’s elder brother Rajbir -currently studying in the UK-will skip the Sunday meeting but will be available for the rest of the season.
Rajbir made his first appearance in the season-opening round on February 20 but failed to finish with mechanical gremlins.
Youngsters Ken Anunda and Charles Mugo will be locking horns in the under-24 category eager to welcome Amaanraj to the youngster’s club.
Mombasa-based Rathod siblings Karan and Rikin also hope to make a comeback after skipping two rounds in Ganze and Soysambu.
