NAIROBI, Kenya June 7 – Speedster Carl ‘Flash’ Tundo is not leaving anything to chance in his quest to defend his KCB Safari Rally title this weekend.
Tundo, co-driven by long time navigator Tim Jessop in their Monster Energy drink sponsored Mitsubishi Evo 9, is confident of going back home with the coveted crown.
“Last year I was lucky that top players had issues in the beginning, and I didn’t. I’m in the new car and we are fully prepared. Last year was a bit crazy; the rally gods were with me. So this year, I hope they are with me again to defend it.”
In last years Safari, Tundo opened a five minutes gap and maintained the lead ahead of second placed Jas Mangat from Uganda driving a Subaru N12 with Ian Duncan coming in third to seal the podium.
The former 2007/2009 National champion, who has so far won two rounds of the domestic championship and failed to finish another, is looking to amass the 80 points available for winning the Safari.
“The game plan changes a little bit because it is an endurance event so you got to back off a bit, whereas other rounds you go at 110 percent. This is not really a big game changer but definitely something to think about.
Tundo senior, Frank continues with his return to the local rally scene but will be driving Carl’s old Mitsubishi Evo VIII.
He used the new Mitsubishi Evo 9 in the last round in Kisumu but has opted to give Carl the newer version for the Safari, something that Carl is excited about.
“At the beginning of the season it went well for me, I was in the old car, so hopefully the new one which has bigger brakes and drives in a straight line.
“I think everyone should drink non-alcoholic drinks like Monster and leave the alcohol till the party afterwards. I understand it’s a big social culture now to watch the rally and drink your beers all which is fine, but we got to realize that there are a lot of people out there and to drink and drive is not acceptable,” he expressed.
The two-time national titleholder and wheat-farmer in Nakuru is the other partner of the Dalbit Rally Team which consists of Alastair Cavenagh/Gavin also in a Mitsubishi Evo 9.
More than 80 rally teams are taking part in the rally that is also celebrating its Diamond Jubillee 60th edition.
Action zooms off on Friday with a special spectator stage at Nairobi’s Uhuru Park before it retreats to the rough of Kajiado and Il-Bissel regions on Saturday and Sunday.