NAIROBI, Kenya October 13 – South Africans became the first country to jet in for the 2011 FIM Africa Team Championship slated for Saturday. A team of seven riders and 3 officials arrived this morning and proceeded to the event’s venue at Soysambu Ranch where they will be camping alongside the rest of the teams this weekend.
Zambians are scheduled to jet in tomorrow morning and will head straight to Soysambu courtesy Kampala Coach who are the internal transport partners.
Ugandans and Tanzanians are also expected to arrive in tomorrow by road.
Anthony Nielsen, the Organizing Committee Chairman, said preparations to stage a fabulous continental competition are ‘full swing’.
Nielsen, however, regretted the delay of the track carrying bikes and quads for Zambians and South Africans riders.
“The bikes were held up at a weigh bridge in Tanzania for about 24 hours but we are hoping they will be here in time for the event,” said Nielsen.
Today, riders will be allowed a sighting lap to familiarize themselves with the route course. The designated circuit is about 48kilometers to be repeated by riders within the cut off time of 5hours.
Kenya has entered 40 riders, 17 of whom will score team championship points and the rest to run as support riders.
Motorcycle Commission Chairman, Nielsen named the Kenya team riders in the B2 class as Shivam Vinayak (Kawasaki 450), Harry Guelker, Andrew Pleasance (KTM), Franco Checchni, Team Captain Sean Pelling who is working round the clock to ensure the Kenyan brigade is ready for the continental battle. B1 class has Tutu Maina, Ben Spinks, Mike Smith, Ben Spinks, Shaun Miller and Danilo Pucci.
In quads (B3 class), the bulk of Ganatra Cross Country Challenge lots will be on the charge. The B3s are Champion Shazar Anwar (Bombardier 650cc), Aadil Vaiani, Mike Rose, Vincent Boulanger and Zane Young.
The Chairman of the Kenya Motor Sports Foundation, Dave Macharia, said the event is anticipated to be one of the most challenging for the riders- given that it will not only be testing their speed but also their endurance.
He assured the media that the organizers have put in place all relevant health and safety standards in line with the regulations of the championship.
