June2016 | ISSUE NO. 102

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Chatthe savors rare success

Chager charges to victory as Tapio stumbles in lakeside

Eric Bengi extends his lead in the F2 Championship

Kenya’s Smith hopes for the best from East Africa region

Safari Rally 2016

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June 2016 | ISSUE NO. 102

COPYRIGHTAnwar Sidi Rally Bulletin™ is owned and published by Anwar Sidi. Copyright 2016 All rights reserved.®Anwar Sidi Rally Bulletin and its distinctive logo are trademarks owned by Anwar Sidi. No part of this magazine may be reproduced without the written consent of Anwar Sidi. Requests for permission should be directed to: anwarsidi55@gmail.com.

KCB Safari Rally ItineraryDAY 1 FRIDAY 10 JUNE 2016 0 START - KICC 10:00 HOLDING POINT (JAMHURI PARK) CS 1 JAMHURI SPECTATOR STAGE START (2.22km) 12:21 CE 1 JAMHURI SPECTATOR STAGE ENDSERVICE A IN (ELEMENTEITA LODGE) 14.36 DAY 2 SATURDAY DAY 11 JUNE 2016 Elementaita Lodge PARC FERME OUT - 08:00 CS 2 OTUT GATE 1 (37.06km) 08:30 CE 2 ELEMENTEITA 1 CS 3 SOYSAMBU GATE 1 (48.83km) 09:18 CE 3 LAKE END 1 CS 4 LODGE SPECTATOR STAGE START 1 (1km) 10:21 CE 4 LODGE SPECTATOR STAGE END 1 SERVICE C IN (ELEMENTEITA LODGE) 10.24 Regroup Out 12.00CS 5 OTUT GATE 2 (37.06km) 12:18 CE 5 ELEMENTEITA 2 CS 6 SOYSAMBU GATE 2 (48.83km) 13:06 CE 6 LAKE END 2 48.83 CS 7 LODGE SPECTATOR STAGE START 2 (1km) 14:09 CE 7 LODGE SPECTATOR STAGE END 2 SERVICE D IN (ELEMENTEITA LODGE) 14.12Parc Ferme IN 14.57

DAY 3 SUNDAY 12 JUNE 2016 7C PARC FERME OUT - DAY 3 08:007D SERVICE E IN 08:02 CS 8 DELAMERE WEST (25.46km) 08:35CE 8 JOLAI CS 9 MILIA (38.28km) 09:08CE 9 DELAMERE EAST CS 10 LODGE SPECTATOR STAGE START 3 (1km) 10:01CE 10 LODGE SPECTATOR STAGE END 3 10A SERVICE F IN Elementeita Lodge 10:04 HOLDING POINT (ELEMENTEITA LODGE) 10C HOLDING OUT 12:0010D FINISH - KICC PARC FERME IN 14:15

Shortest Stage: 1km -Elementeita Spectator StageLongest Stage: 48.83km -Soy Sambu GateTotal Competitive: 240.74kmTotal Liaison Distance: 298.37km

Total Distance: 539.11kmDay 1Competitive 2.22kmLiaison Distance: 133.63kmTotal Distance: 135.85km

Day 2Competitive 173.78kmLiaison Distance: 24.40kmTotal Distance: 198.18km

Day 3Competitive 64.74kmLiaison Distance: 140.34kmTotal Distance: 205.08km

Statistics last 3 years 2014 KCB Safari Rally3 DaysTotal Competitive: 225kmTotal Distance: 831kmNumber of stages: 13 stages

2015 KCB Safari Rally3 DaysTotal Competive: 366kmTotal Distance: 1010kmNumber of stages: 18 stages

2016 KCB Safari Rally3 DaysTotal Completive: 240kmTotal Distance: 539kmNumber of stages: 10 stages

All details are correct attime of going to press.

By Abdul Sidi

The 2016 KCB Sa-fari Rally is set to take off from the Kenyatta Interna-

tional Conference Centre for the beginning of the three-day action. The pre-mier round of the series will have a total of seven competitive stages.

The Soysambu/Lake End section will be done twice, while the Lodge/Lodge Stage will be done three times. The Jolai/Mil-ia section will be tackled once.

The longest competitive stage will be 48.83 kms while the shortest will be one kilometer long. The rally itself will be 539 kilo-meters long of which 240 will be total competitive distance.

For the second-year-run-ning, the Safari Rally will not be part of the familiar round of the FIA African Rally Championship. It also ceased to be part of the World Rally Championship since 2003.

This year’s event will be the shortest in its long his-tory.

Ian Duncan, the former Safari Rally winner, who was forced to withdraw from the Kisumu Rally due to sickness, will return to action in the Safari Rally after that mishap. “I feel good and ready to take part in the Safari Rally.

It is unfortunate that the rally has lost all the past glamour and glory with no international status. Lot has to be done to return to ARC first though, the Continental series has also to improve on its reputa-tion and status to attract more African countries,’’ said Duncan. According to Duncan, the Safari Rally has to spread its wings out-side one particular area to attract more foreign drivers and also protect the rally cars, though it is becoming difficult to get closed stages. However he said it is good that the rally will start and finish at the KICC, which will bring back some of the memories from the past. Duncan’s sentiments were shared by

Safari routeseveral other drivers, who suggested that the Motor Sports Governing Body should put in more efforts to revive the Safari Rally to once famous round of the World Rally Championship instead of letting it die com-pletely.

There will be only one Spectator Stage of the opening day of the compe-tition after the cars leave KICC. The start from KICC thereafter Jamhuri Park will take the center stage with a short but entertain-ing spectator stage.

Organizers will locate a Remote Fuel zone along the way before cars check in at the Dalemere Estate, which

will host the competition for the next two days.

The idea of running night spectator stage was cancelled due to technical

and safety reasons. Night stages have become rare in the Kenya National Rally Championship series due to the security and safety

reasons. It also incurs extra cost for the drivers, who have to install special spot-lights for such rare night stages.

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DRIVERS PROFILES

BALDEV SINGH CHAGER Nationality: Kenyan DOB: 8/3/75Nicknames: Boldy/Flying SinghTeam: Kabras Sugar RacingKNRC Standing: 1st KNRC Points: 37Sponsors: West Kenya Sugar Co. (Kabras Sugar)Role: Lead driver and technical engineer for Kabras teamCar: Mitsubishi EVOXFamily: Married with one wife and 2 kidsResides: Nairobi areaPlace of work: BHP Performance Ltd/ BC RacingOccupation: BusinessmanCurrent Navigator: Ravi Soni Hobby: Engineering, readingMost Admired Sports person: Mike Tyson & Usain Bolt.2016 Goal: To recapture the KNRC title.Career highlights:1. Two times KCB Safari Rally winner in 2013 & 20142. Three times KNRC Champion in 2008, 2013 & 20143. Twice Motor Sport personality of the year (2007 and 2013)4. 1998 KNRC Championship- 3rd overall

IAN DUNCANNationality: Kenyan Team: Liquid TelecomKNRC Standing: 5th KNRC Points: 21Sponsors: Liquid Telecom Role: driver Car: Mitsubishi EVOXResides: Nairobi areaPlace of work: Occupation: Mechanic Current Navigator: Amaar Slatch 2016 Goal: To recapture the KNRC title.Career highlights:1. Guru Nanak Rally winner a record 12 times2. Six times KNRC Champion in 1987, 1988, 1989, 1991, 2000 and 20113. Three times Rhino Charge winner - 1998, 2006 and 20074. Winner of the 42nd Trustbank WRC Safari Rally 19945. Kenya Airways E.A. Safari Classic winner 2009 and 2013

RAJBIR RAI Nationality: Kenyan DOB: Team: Rai Racing KNRC Standing: 3rd KNRC Points: 29Sponsors: Timsales Role: driver Car: Ford Fiesta R5Family: Married Place of work: Timsales Occupation: BusinessmanCurrent Navigator (s): Greg Sted/Tim Challen 2W Debut: KCB Safari 2012KNRC Debut: 20132016 Goal: To Clinch the2016 KNRC title.Career highlights:1. Winner - Kisumu Rally 20142. Winner-2014 Pearl of Africa Uganda Rally 3. 2014 KCB Eldama Ravine Rally winner4. Started his racing career at Jamhuri Park racing buggies in the 2011 National Autocross Championship5. Son of legendary two-times Kenyan champion Sarbi Rai6. Brother to buggy/rally driver Amanraaj Rai 7. Cousin to rally Kabras Racing siblings Tejvir Rai and Onkar Rai8. Started his rallying career in the 2012 Safari Rally in a VW Golf GTI9. Second overall KCB Eldoret rally 2015

JASPREET SINGH CHATTHE Nationality: Kenyan DOB: Nicknames: JassiTeam: Team KIbosKNRC Standing: 6th KNRC Points: 20Sponsors: KSAIL- Kibos Sugar and Allied Industries...Role: Driver Car: Mitsubishi Lancer EVO 10- R4Family: Married Resides: Kisumu Place of work: Kibos Sugar Occupation: BusinessmanCurrent Navigator: Gugu Panesar Favorite All-time Rally Driver (s): Colin McRae and Sebastian Loeb Most Admired Sports person: Mike Tyson & Usain Bolt.2016 Goal: To retain the KNRC title he won last year.Career highlights:1. 2015 African Rally Champion 2.Winner KCB Safari Rally 20153. Winner Pearl of Africa Uganda Rally 20154. Winner Zambia International Rally 20155. ARC Tanzania Rally 2014 -1st overall6. First KNRC win -KCB M-Benki Nanyuki Rally 20147. 3rd overall - 2014 ARC series behind eventual champion Gary Chaynes and Essa Mohammed

TAPIO LAUKKANENNationality: Finn DOB: 23. 9. 1969Nicknames: Flying FinnTeam: MRTKNRC Standing: 4th KNRC Points: 27Sponsors: Multiple Hauliers Role: Lead driver Car: Subaru Impreza GVB 13Resides: Finland Occupation: Professional Rally driver and trainer Current Navigator: Pasi Torma 2016 Goal: To win the KNRC 2016 championship Career Highlights:1. Winner -2015KCB Kisumu Rally2. Winner KCB Eldoret and Machakos Rally 20153. Retired in 2014 KCB Kisumu Rally while leading the pack4. Won the 1996 Finnish Rally Championship in a Volkswagen Golf GTi5. British Rally Champion in 1999 with a Renault Mégane Maxi twinned with fellow Finn, Kaj Lindström.6. Tapio has been training a number of drivers in KNRC including Manvir Baryan and Jasmeet Chana7. Previously navigated by Riipinen Ilkka, Lindström Kaj and Kaapro Harri in Europe based events

MANVIR SINGH BARYANNationality: Kenyan DOB: 19th May 1982Team: MRTKNRC Standing: 2nd KNRC Points: 33Sponsors: Multiple Hauliers Role: driver Car: Ford Fiesta –R5Resides: Nairobi areaPlace of work: Porsche Centre Nairobi Occupation: Businessman/ Heavy commercial transporterCurrent Navigator: Drew Sturrock 2016 Goal: To win the KNRC title.KNRC DEBUT: 2011 KCB Guru Nanak RallyCareer Highlights: 1. 3rd overall KCB Safari Rally 20142. Winner of ARC category - 2014 KCB Safari Rally 3. Leading contender - 2012 KNRC Division Two championship4. Mentored by the 1999 British rally champion Tapio Laukkanen

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DRIVERS PROFILES

CARL TUNDONationality: Kenyan DOB: 11/12/1973Nickname: Flash Team: Menengai OilKNRC Standing: 8th KNRC Points: 15Sponsors: Menengai Oil Refineries Limited Role: driver Car: Subaru GC8Family: Married Place of work: Board member at the National Cereals and Produce BoardOccupation: BusinessmanCurrent Navigator: Tim Jessop Favorite All-time Rally Driver: Sebastian LoebMost Admired Sports person: Dan Carter2016 Goal: To win the KNRC Career Highlights:1. Four times Safari rally winner in 2004, 2009, 2011 and 20122.Three Times KNRC champion in 2007, 2009 & 20123.Motor sports personality of the year 20054. 2nd overall KCB Safari Rally 20145. First ever driver to win a KNRC round in a S2000 (Proton)6. Retired in the season opening KCB Kajiado Rally 2016

KARAN PATELNationality: Kenyan DOB: 7th May 1991Nicknames: KPTeam: Filmico RacingKNRC Standing: 9th KNRC Points: 12 Sponsors: Family and FriendsRole: driver Car: Mitsubishi EVOXFamily: Single Resides: Nairobi areaCurrent Navigator: Tauseef Khan Hobby: Aviation Most Admired Sports person: Colin McRae2016 Goal: To perform well in WRC events he is undertaking Career highlights:1. 2014 KNRC Group S and Division 3 Champion in an ex-Baldev Chager GC82. Former AMU East African 85cc Motocross Champion4. S class winner -KCB Safari Rally 20145. 9th overall KCB Safari Rally 2014.6. 5th overall KCB Kisumu Rally 2016

ONKAR SINGH RAINationality: Kenyan DOB: 29/05/88Team: Kabras Sugar RacingKNRC Standing: 7th KNRC Points: 18Sponsors: West Kenya Sugar Co. (Kabras Sugar)Role: driver Car: Mitsubishi EVOXFamily: Married Resides: NakuruPlace of work: Menengai Oil Refineries Occupation: Managing Director Current Navigator: Gareth Dawe Most Admired Sports person: Steven GerrardCareer highlights:1. 2011 KNRC Division Two Champion3. Mombasa Rally 2012- 3rd overall4. Kisumu Rally 2015 3rd overall5. 5th overall 2013 KQ East African Safari Classic6. 3rd overall - KCB Mtaani Rally 20117. Winner- MMC Coast Club Rally round 2 in Ramisi in September 2011 8. Winner -2012 National Autocross 7 in Jamhuri Park

TWO WHEEL DRIVE - ERIC BENGINationality: Kenyan DOB: 26th April 1976Team: Toyota Runx RSI2WD Standing: 1st 2WD Points: 50Sponsors: None Role: Driver Car: Toyota RunXResides: Nairobi areaPlace of work: ??Occupation: Lawyer Current Navigator: Tony Gickuhi Hobby: Racing Favorite All Time rally Driver: Sebastian Ogier2016 Goal: to win the 2WD championship Career Highlights:1. Current 2WD leader2. Winner of both the 2WD and KNRC Division 2 on Machakos Rally 20153. Won the 2WD Class on KCB Safari rally 20154. Eldama Ravine Rally 2014- 2nd in 2WD5 Machakos Rally 2014- 3rd in 2WD6. 2WD winner in KCB Safari rally 2014

SAMMY NYORRINationality: Kenyan DOB: 29th March 1974Team: Martlink Racing2WD Standing: 3rd 2WD Points: 21Role: Lead driver and technical engineer for Kabras teamCar: Toyota RunXFamily: Married Resides: Nairobi areaPlace of work: Matlink Occupation: Graphic Designer Current Navigator: Stephen Nyorri Hobby: Racing Most Admired Sports person: Mike Tyson & Usain Bolt.2016 Goal: To win the 2WD title.Career highlights:1. Sammy became the second driver in Kenya after Victor Okundi to ever convert a Toyota Vitz into a rally car 2. Sammy made his 2WD debut in an ex-Joe Muchiri Toyota Levin in 2011 and later upgraded to a Vitz

LEONARDO VARESENationality: Kenyan DOB: 31-07-1971Nicknames: LeoTeam: Sportpesa RacingKNRC Standing: 2nd KNRC Points: 38Sponsors: Sportpesa Role: driver Car: Toyota Corolla RSIFamily: Married Resides: Nairobi areaOccupation: Self employed (transporter)Current Navigator: Kigondu Kareith Most Admired Sports person: Mike Tyson & Usain Bolt.2016 Goal: To defend the 2WD title.Career highlights:1. Four times reigning 2WD champion - 2008, 2010, 2014 and 2015. 2. 2WD winner in the RSC KNRC round in 2009, 2010, 2012 and 2014.

Name: Farhaaz KhanDOB: 06/06/1987KNRC Debut: Navigator 2007 KCB MMC Rally Driver 2010 KCB Meru RallyNo of Safari Rally Starts: 5Profession: Accountant

Sponsers: OilibyaCar Make: Mitsubishi Evo 9Navigator: Keith HenrieCareer Highlights: 1. 2008 Classic Car Cup Navigator Champion2. 2013 Division 3 Runner up3. 2009 & 2013 E.A Classic rally finisher

4. Notable performances: 5. 8th Overall 2013 KCB Nakuru Rally6. 8th Overall 2013 KCB Kisumu Rally7. 10th Overall 2013 KCB Kajiado Rally8. 10th Overall 2013 KCB Mombasa Rally9. 9th Overall 2014 KCB Kisumu Rally10. 11th Overall 2016 KCB Kajiado Rally

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PHOTOGRAPHY: ANWAR SIDI

ENTRY LISTPos. Door No. Driver/Co-Driver /Car 1. 1. Jaspreet Chatthe/ Gurdeep Panesar -Mitsubishi Evo10 2. 4 Ian Duncan/Amaar Slatch -Mitsubishi Evo 10 3. 5. Carl Tundo /Tim Jessop -Mitsubishi Evo 10 4. 6. Rajbir Rai /Greg Stead- Ford Fiesta5. 8. Quentin Mitchell /Steven Cook –Skoda Fabia6. 2. Tapio Laukkanen /Pasi Torma –Subaru Impreeza7. 3. Baldev Chager /Ravi Soni -Mitsubishi Evol 10 8. 10. Karan Patel /Tauseef Khan- Mitsubishi Evol 10 9. 11. Onkar Rai /Gareth Dawe -Mitsubishi Evo 10 10. 15. Tejveer Rai /Zahir Shah -Mitsubishi Evo 10 11. 17. Pietro Cannobio /Silvia Frigo- Mitsubishi Evo 10 12. 18. Izhar Mirza /Kavit Dave -Mitsubishi Evo 9 13. 20. Jasmeet Chana /Ravinder Chana -Mitsubishi Evo 9 14. 23. Farhaaz Khan /Keith Henrie -Mitsubishi Evo 9 15. 25. Imran Mogul /Adnan Din -Subaru Impreza N1216. 29. Jansher Sandhu /Feisal Khan- Mitsubishi Evo 917. 97. Issa Amwari /Edward Njoroge -Mitsubishi Evo 10 18. 27. Stephen Mwangi/ Jonathan Kosgei –Subaru Impreza19. 31. Asad Khan /Harshil Limbani –Subaru Impreza GC820. 32. Mahesh Halai /Ketan Halai –Subaru Impreza N12

21. 124. John Ng’ang’a /Anthony Njenga - Subaru Impreza N1222. 37. Eric Bengi /Tuta Mionki –Toyota Runx23. 45. Jonathan Somen /Richard Hechle –Ford Escort24. 51. Eric Njogu /Tony Kimondo –Subaru IMpreza N1025. 48. Adil Mirza /Kashif Shaikh –Mitsubishi Evo926. 52. Chandrakant Devji /Julius Mwachuya - Subaru Impreza GC827. 120. Rehan Shah /George Kiama –Mitsubishi Evo928. 53. Sammy Nyorri /James Mwangi –Totota Runx29. 54. Leonardo Varese /Kigondu Kareithi –Toyota Corolla30. 86. Ramesh Vishram /Riyaz Ismail –Ford Escort31. 57. Natasha Tundo /Chantal Young-Subaru Impreza 32. 60. Alex Lairang’i /Anthony Gichohi –Toyota Corolla33. 64. Andrew Muchemi /Kimaru Boit –Mitsubishi Evo834. 76. Edward Maina /Steve Mbuthia –Subaru IMpreza GC835. 78. David Kioni /Mwangi Kioni –Subaru Impreza36. 85. McRae Kimathi /Stephen Njenga - Subaru Impreza GC837. 118. Osman Abdullahi /Evans Mwenda - Subaru Impreza N1038. 121. Josiah Kariuki /John Ngugi - Subaru Impreza N1139. 67. Nikhil Sachania /Salim Khan –Fiat Abarth40. 87.Geoff Mayes /Jamie Mactavish –Range Rover41. 123. Moez Malik /Absolom Aswani –Mitsubishi Evo642. 122. Sam Karangatha /Edward Ndukui –Subaru Leone

SAFARI RALLY 2016

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Past Winners

The Safari Rally is a rally race held in East Africa. It was first held from 27 May to 1 June 1953 as the East African Coronation Safari in Kenya,

Uganda and Tanganyika,[1] as a celebration of the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. In 1960 it was renamed the East African Safari Rally and kept that name until 1974, when it became the Safari Rally.

The Safari Rally adopted the special stage

format in 1996. From that edition until 2002, it featured over 1000 km of timed stages, with stages well over 60 km long, unlike most ral-lies which had under 500 km of total timed distance. This meant that the winner’s total time was above 12 hours in 1996 and de-creased to two seconds shy of 8 hours in 2002.

The event was part of the World Rally Championship calendar for many years until being excluded after 2002 due to the lack of

finance and organisation in 2003. The Kenyan government is trying to get the rally’s WRC status restored. Since 2003 the event has been part of the African Rally Championship or-ganised by the FIA. It is currently known as the KCB Safari Rally after its sponsor, Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB).

Local driver the late Shekhar Mehta was the most successful in the event with five out-right victories (1973, 1979–1982)

Year Rally Name / Dates Winning Driver Co-driver Winning Car Status

1954 2nd East African Coronation Safari Rally

Alan Dix Johnny Larsen Volkswagen Beetle  

1955 3rd East African Safari Rally Vic Preston Sr D P Marwaha Ford Zephyr  

1956 4th East African Safari Rally Eric Cecil Tony Vickers DKW  

1957 5th East African Safari Rally Gus Hofmann Arthur Burton DKW  

1958 6th East African Safari Rally Arne Kopperud Morris Temple-Boreham

Kora KopperudMike Armstrong

Ford Zephyr II (Lion class)Auto Union 1000 (Leopard class)

 

1959 7th East African Safari Rally Bill Fritschy Jack Ellis Mercedes-Benz 219  

1960 8th East African Safari Rally Bill Fritschy Jack Ellis Mercedes-Benz 219  

1961 9th East African Safari Rally John Manussis Bill ColeridgeDavid Bekett

Mercedes-Benz 220SE  

1962 10th East African Safari Rally Tommy Fjastad Bernhard Schmider Volkswagen 1200  

1963 11th East African Safari Rally Nick Nowicki Paddy Cliff Peugeot 404  

1964 12th East African Safari Rally Peter Hughes Bill Young Ford Cortina GT  

1965 13th East African Safari Rally Joginder Singh Jaswant Singh Volvo PV 544  

1966 14th East African Safari Rally Bert Shankland Chris Rothwell Peugeot 404  

1967 15th East African Safari Rally Bert Shankland Chris Rothwell Peugeot 404  

1968 16th East African Safari Rally Nick Nowicki Paddy Cliff Peugeot 404[2]  

1969 17th East African Safari Rally Robin Hillyar Jock Aird Ford Taunus 20M RS  

1970 18th East African Safari Rally Edgar Herrmann Hans Schüller Datsun 1600 SSS  

1971 19th East African Safari Rally Edgar Herrmann Hans Schüller Datsun 240Z  

1972 20th East African Safari Rally(30 Mar – 3 Apr)

Hannu Mikkola Gunnar Palm Ford Escort RS1600 IMC

1973 21st East African Safari Rally(19 – 23 Apr)

Shekhar Mehta Lofty Drews Datsun 240Z WRC

1974 22nd East African Safari Rally(11 – 15 Apr)

Joginder Singh David Doig Mitsubishi Lancer 1600 GSR WRC

1975 23rd Safari Rally(27 – 31 Mar)

Ove Andersson Arne Hertz Peugeot 504 WRC

1976 24th Safari Rally(15 – 19 Apr)

Joginder Singh David Doig Mitsubishi Lancer 1600 GSR WRC

1977 25th Safari Rally(7 – 11 Apr) Björn Waldegård Hans Thorszelius

Ford Escort RS1800 WRC

1978 26th Safari Rally(23 – 27 Mar) Jean-Pierre Nicolas Jean-Claude

Lefèbvre

Peugeot 504 V6 Coupé WRC

1979 27th Safari Rally(12 – 16 Apr) Shekhar Mehta Mike Doughty

Datsun 160J WRC

1980 28th Safari Rally(3 – 7 Apr) Shekhar Mehta Mike Doughty

Datsun 160J WRC

1981 29th Safari Rally(16 – 20 Apr) Shekhar Mehta Mike Doughty

Nissan Violet GT WRC

1982 30th Marlboro Safari Rally(8 – 12 Apr) Shekhar Mehta Mike Doughty

Nissan Violet GT WRC

1983 31st Marlboro Safari Rally(30 Mar – 4 Apr) Ari Vatanen Terry Harryman

Opel Ascona 400 WRC

1984 32nd Marlboro Safari Rally(19 – 23 Apr) Björn Waldegård Hans Thorszelius

Toyota Celica TCT WRC

1985 33rd Marlboro Safari Rally(4 – 8 Apr) Juha Kankkunen Fred Gallagher

Toyota Celica TCT WRC

1986 34th Marlboro Safari Rally(29 Mar – 2 Apr) Björn Waldegård Fred Gallagher

Toyota Celica TCT WRC

1987 35th Marlboro Safari Rally(16 – 20 Apr) Hannu Mikkola Arne Hertz

Audi 200 Quattro WRC

1988 36th Marlboro Safari Rally(31 Mar – 4 Apr) Miki Biasion Tiziano Siviero

Lancia Delta Integrale WRC

1989 37th Marlboro Safari Rally(23–27 Mar) Miki Biasion Tiziano Siviero

Lancia Delta Integrale WRC

1990 38th Marlboro Safari Rally(11–16 Apr) Björn Waldegård Fred Gallagher

Toyota Celica GT-Four ST165 WRC

1991 39th Martini Safari Rally27 (Mar – 1 Apr) Juha Kankkunen Juha Piironen

Lancia Delta Integrale 16V WRC

1992 40th Martini Safari Rally27 (Mar – 1 Apr) Carlos Sainz Luis Moya

Toyota Celica Turbo 4WD WRC

1993 41st Trustbank Safari Rally(8–12 Apr) Juha Kankkunen Juha Piironen

Toyota Celica Turbo 4WD WRC

1994 42nd Trustbank Safari Rally(31 Mar – 3 Apr) Ian Duncan David Williamson

Toyota Celica Turbo 4WD WRC

1995 43rd Safari Rally(14–17 Apr) Yoshio Fujimoto Arne Hertz

Toyota Celica Turbo 4WD 2LWC

1996 44th Safari Rally(5–7 Apr) Tommi Mäkinen Seppo Harjanne

Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution III

WRC

1997 45th Safari Rally(1–3 Mar) Colin McRae Nicky Grist

Subaru Impreza WRC97 WRC

1998 46th Safari Rally(28 Feb – 2 Mar) Richard Burns Robert Reid

Mitsubishi Carisma GT Evolution IV

WRC

1999 47th Safari Rally(26–28 Feb) Colin McRae Nicky Grist

Ford Focus WRC WRC

2000 48th Sameer Safari Rally(25–27 Feb) Richard Burns Robert Reid

Subaru Impreza WRC99 WRC

2001 49th Safari Rally(20–22 Jul) Tommi Mäkinen Risto

Mannisenmäki

Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution 6.5

WRC

2002 50th Inmarsat Safari Rally(12–14 Jul) Colin McRae Nicky Grist

Ford Focus RS WRC 02 WRC

2003 51st KCB Safari Rally(9-11 Oct) Glen Edmunds Titch Phillips

Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VI

ARC

2004 52nd KCB Safari Rally(12–14 Mar) Carl Tundo Tim Jessop

Subaru Impreza ARC

2005 53rd KCB Safari Rally(15th – 17th Jul) Glen Edmunds Des Page-Morris

Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VII

ARC

2006 54th KCB Safari Rally(24 – 26 Mar) Azar Anwar George Mwangi

Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VI

ARC

2007 55th KCB Safari Rally(9-11 Mar) Conrad Rautenbach Peter Marsh

Subaru Impreza N10 IRC & ARC

2008 56th KCB Safari Rally(27–29 Jun) Lee Rose Piers Daykin

Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX

ARC

2009 57th KCB Safari Rally(3–5 Apr) Carl Tundo Tim Jessop

Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX

IRC & ARC

2010 58th KCB Safari Rally(2–4 Apr) Lee Rose Piers Daykin

Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX

ARC

2011 59th KCB Safari Rally(17–19 Jun) Carl Tundo Tim Jessop

Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX

ARC

2012 60th KCB Safari Rally(8–10 Jun) Carl Tundo Tim Jessop

Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX

ARC

2013 61st KCB Safari Rally(5–7 Jul) Baldev Chager Ravi Soni

Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X

ARC

2014 62nd KCB Safari Rally(12–14 Sep) Baldev Chager Ravi Soni

Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X

ARC

2015 63rd KCB Safari Rally Jassi Chatte Gugu Panesar

Mitsubishi Evo10 Kenya ARC

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Jaspreet Chatthe aka “Jassi” entered his name in the annals of rallying history by achieving what no other Kenyan driver had ever accomplished.

The Kisumu-based driver became the first man in Kenya to win both the African Rally Championship (ARC) and National Rally Championship (KNRC) incidentally in a sea-son which also saw him chalk-up the 63rd Sa-fari Rally and the Pearl of Africa Uganda Rally.

Jassi won the Safari and indeed his maiden KNRC title together with Kisumu resident Gurdeep “Gugu” Panesar and the ARC with Britain’s Craig Thorlay. Jassi delivered the coveted ARC title incidentally 31 years after David Horsey’s scintillating drive in a Peu-geot. Prior to the Horsey -David Williamson feat in 1984, the legendary Shekhar Mehta was the only other driver from Kenya to have laid his hands on the African title along with Mike Doughty in a Nissan with Surinder That-thi also winning it as a co-driver with the leg-endary Zambian Satwant Singh in 1989, 1996, 1998 and 1998.

Although Jassi may not have possessed the bragging rights to sit around the same dining table with the legendary Shekhar or even four times Safari winner Joginder Singh, he must have graduated eating from the crumbs, if his performance in 2015 is anything to go by.

“Shekhar was such a successful driver and having my name on the same roll of honor with him in two nostalgic events (Safari and ARC) is such a great feeling,” said Jassi.

Jassi made his rallying debut on the 1997 edition of Nyanza Rally navigated by Gugu

Panesar but took a long sabbatical before making a comeback in the recent years.

“I believe I was born a rally driver. I joined motorsports because I have always enjoyed the adrenaline sensation of movement,” said Chatthe who also won the Kenya Division 2 and 3 titles before joining the elite Premier group in KNRC.

Chatthe savors rare success

PHOTOGRAPHY: ANWAR SIDI

Jassi’s Lowdown Team: Team KibosSponsors: Role: DriverCar: Mitsubishi Lancer EVO 10 R4Resides: KisumuDOB: 24th November 1979Place of work: Kibos SugarOccupation: Director First Road Car: 4 x4 Toyota pickupFirst Rally Car: DatsunFirst Event: 1997 Nyanza Rally with Gugu PanesarFavorite All-time Rally Driver (s): Colin McRae and Sebastian LoebCurrent Navigator: Gugu panesarPrevious Navigator: Dave Sihoka & Craig Thorlay

Here’s what’s special about Jassi :1. 2015 African Rally Champion 2.Winner KCB Safari Rally 20153. Winner Pearl of Africa Uganda Rally 20154. Winner Zambia International Rally 20155. ARC Tanzania Rally 2014 -1st overall6. First KNRC win -KCB M-Benki Nanyuki Rally 20147. Finished third overall in the 2014 African Rally Championship series behind eventual champion Gary Chaynes and Essa Mohammed8. Retired in the recent 2015 Oryx Tanzania ARC Rally

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PHOTOGRAPHY: ANWAR SIDI

Baldev Singh Chager navigated by Ravi Soni In a Group N Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution10 ended 18 years of waiting when he racked up his sec-

ond career Kisumu Rally title on the wet and muddy terrain around Chemelil region.This was Chager’s first win in Kisumu since 1998 when the “Flying Singh” made his Kenya National Rally Championhip debut.

In winning Kisumu Rally, Chager re-claimed the summit of KNRC despite failing to win a single event in his title de-fense last season. Chager now leads the log on 37, four ahead of Manvir Baryan, eight ahead of Rajbir Rai and 10 ahead of the round one leader Tapio Laukkanen.

Chager, who was the fastest through the repeat run of Kobonyo-Mberere stage, was all smiles after victory and this is what he had to say at Chemase service point: “These were perhaps the toughest conditions we have seen in a long time. Organisers had to cancel two stages because of adverse weather conditions and compelled to reroute and rerun some

stretches. It was very rough and the rocks in there proved quite unforgiving at some point.”

The event, marred by poor weather condi-tions long before the rally kicked off from the KCB Branch in Kisumu, also saw Ian Duncan forced out of the event due to poor health

while holding a sizable lead with just

one stage remaining.The Kisumu Rally, which was expected to

feature as one of the leading rounds of the current KCB-sponsored series, failed to live up to its reputations with numerous changes and delays that caused discomfort among the drivers, sponsors and fans prior and during the competition.

In all, three out of the five competitive stages were canceled due to unavoidable wet and slippery stages. That left the organizers with no option but to run just stage twice to achieve the mandatory 50% of the total com-petitive distance for anyone to be able to score championship points. Anything less than that would have meant a wasted journey and bud-get for those, who had travelled to the Lake-side rally.

Duncan led the Rally after the first section but retired in Chemase Service due to medical reasons.

“Ian had not been feeling well for the past couple of days with diarrhea and vomiting be-ing his major problems. The medics checked

Driving a Mitsubishi Lancer EvoX, Chager got back to winning ways

with what was considered as a well coordinated performance to keep the respective Ford Fiestas of Rajbir Rai (2nd) and Manvir Baryan (3rd) at bay and making it a one-two-three for the Sikh drivers.

Chager charges to victory as Tapio stumbles in lakeside

KCB Kisumu Rally Round 27th May 2016

Baldev Singh Chager/Ravi Soni (Mitsubishi Lancer EvoX)

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Full Results: 1. Baldev Singh Chager/Ravi Soni (Mitsubishi Lancer EvoX) 1:01.002. Rajbir Rai/Greg Stead (Ford Fiesta R5) 1:01.143. Manvir Baryan/Drew Sturrock (Ford Fiesta R5)1:01.324. Carl Flash Tundo/Tim Jessop (Subaru Impreza GC8) 1:01.385. Karan K Patel/Tauseef Khan (Mitsubishi Lancer EvoX) 1:06.506. Frank Tundo/Raju Chagger (Mitsubishi) 1:07.307. Onkar Singh Rai/Gareth Dawe (Mitsubishi Lancer EvoX) 1:07.358. Izar Mirza/Kevit Dave (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo9) 1:07.459. Tejveer Singh Rai/Zahir Shah (Mitsubishi Lancer EvoX). 1:08.1410. Eric Bengi/Tuta Mionki (Toyota RunX) 1:10.4111. Jansher Sandhu/Faisal Khan (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo9) 1:13.0112. Natasha Tundo/Chantal Young (Subaru N10) 1:13.1413. Osman Abdullahi Osman/Evans Mwenda (Subaru N10) 1:14.0114. Tapio Laukkanen/Pasi Torma (Subaru) 1:15.3615. Mahesh Halai/Ketan Halai (Subaru N12) 1:17.2916. Jasmeet Chana/Ravi Chana (Toyota Celica GT4) 1:18.2417. Chandrakant Devji/Julius Mwachuya (Subaru GC8) 1:18.2518. Edward Maina/Steve Mbuthia (Subaru GC 8) 1:21.2319. Issa Amwari/Edward Njoroge (EVO X) 1:22.4620. Alex Lairang/Anthony Gichohi (Toyota Sprinter GT) 1:24.1021. Leonardo Varese/Kigondu Karethi (Toyota Corolla) 1:25.2222. Jassi Chatthe/Gugu Panesar (EVOX) 1:26.5023. Jitendra Dhokia/Saima Khan (Subaru N10) 1:30.43

him at the Service Park just before prepar-ing for the final stage before advising him to take a good rest. We didn’t want to risk it. Rallies come and go but our health remains paramount,” said Amaar Slatch, his long-term navigator.

Driving a Mitsubishi Lancer EvoX, Chager got back to winning ways with what was con-sidered as a well coordinated performance to keep the respective Ford Fiestas of Rajbir Rai (2nd) and Manvir Baryan (3rd) at bay and making it a one-two-three for the Sikh drivers.

Carl Tundo finished fourth ahead of power-ful Evos, one of them powered to 6th place by his Dad Frank while youngster Karan settled for fifth place prior to his WRC debut in Por-tugal.

Tundo, was second fastest through the first loop and fourth fastest in the repeat run when his Subaru Impreza Gc8 got stranded in a flooded river.

“We got stranded in a flooded river. The tractor managed to tow us out but by then the electrical department was heavily affected. We did clean it bit by bit before limping back to the finish by then we had obviously lost the lead of the rally,’’ Tim Jessop, Tundo’s naviga-tor.

Asked about his scintillating drive on the GC8, Carl said: “It’s an old car. We managed to break the rear arm in the second section but other than that It was great fun to be back in the GC8....and we were pushing for the day before breaking the arm. The GC8 has got abit more power, it has a N12 engine in it so its quite powerful . It’s handling is typical Subaru -so great fun.”

Defending KNRC champion Jassi Chatthe wasn’t spared by the bad weather conditions either and finished 22nd overall after stopping in the first stage for more than 20 minutes be-fore picking up a puncture on the repeat run.

Tapio also suffered engine and puncture gremlins to end his Kisumu campaign in an unfamiliar 14th position.

Rajbir Rai/Greg Stead (Ford Fiesta R5)

Manvir Baryan/Drew Sturrock (Ford Fiesta R5)

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Karan Patel who has been rallying for three years was happy to survive the toughest conditions thus far in the 2016 season.

“The conditions were worse in the morning than they were in the first run round. We had a good run in the first loop but coming through the second run we had too many hiccups so had to slow down a bit. We are not very keen on the champion-ship as we are doing WRC rounds this season....so the KNRC points won’t really matter for us,” said Karan.

Out of the 28 cars which started the Equator Motor Club organized round only four (Sammy Nyorri, Duncan, Dinesh Sa-chania and Farhaaz Khan) failed to master the wet and rough conditions

Greenhorns beat the oddsNairobi based driver Osman Abdullahi made his rallying de-

but in Kisumu and savoured 13th overall position contrary to all expectations.

Osman powered his ex Paras Pandya Subaru N10 to 8th in Group N ahead of several established KNRC drivers to clinch the event’s “most meritorious award”.

Another upcoming competitor Saima Khan was among the three lady navigators who survived the demanding conditions upon guiding Kisumu based Jitendra “Jitu” Dhokia to 23rd overall position. Navigated by Evans Mwenda, Osman admit-ted candidly that his first Rally had surpassed all expectations.

“I never imagined that I would make it back in such a cred-ible position. I started off last on the road and I am glad I was able to drive competitively . I hope to take it easy in the remaining rounds so as to gain the requisite experience as well as many points as possible,” said Osman.

Bengi wins againEric Bengi in his crowd pleasing Toyota RunX chalked up

his second straight win of the season in 10th overall position incidentally on his very first outing with lady navigator Tuta Mionki. Tuta was called upon to fill the void left behind by Bengi’s regular navigator Tony Gikuhi and savoured victory on the lakeside round.

“Our Kisumu finish is very special. We are so elated. Top 10 is amazing. It is a big celebration as it is our first time to finish in Kisumu. Last two seasons Kisumu was very unforgiving and we retired in most unfortunate situations. We are very happy,” said Bengi.

Leonado Varese took advantage of Sammy Nyorri’s retire-ment to move up from third to second on the Formula Two log.

Nyorri retired on the repeat run of Kobonyo-Mberere stage with engine failure.

Alex Lairang’i came home second in 20th overall position to make up for his retirement in Kajiado last February.

PHOTOGRAPHY: ANWAR SIDI

Carl Flash Tundo/Tim Jessop (Subaru Impreza GC8)

Frank Tundo/Raju Chagger (Mitsubishi)

Izar Mirza/Kavit Dave (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo9)

>>>

Asked about his scintillating drive on the GC8, Carl said: “It’s an old car. We managed to break the rear arm in the second section but other than that It was great fun to be back in the GC8....and we were pushing for the day before breaking the arm.

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Eric Bengi has extended his lead in the National Formula Two Rally Cham-pionship following an

impressive performance in the just concluded KCB Kisumu Rally.

A relatively newcomer in the competition, Bengi raised eyebrows in the latest event by finishing in the 10th overall place and first in his class in a Toyota RunX navigated by Tuta Mionki. Both are from the Ab-dul Sidi Rally Academy.

Bengi leads the table with 50 points while multiple winner of the F2 Championship titles, Leonardo Varese is in the second place with 34 points in yet another Toyota model after two rounds of the series so far.

Early leader of the Overall stand-ings of the KNRC, Tapio Laukkanen of Finland has dropped to fourth place in the standings after a poor show in the Lakeside Rally.

Following his win in the Kisumu Rally, Baldev Chager is now the lead-er of the standings with 37 points followed by Manvir Baryan with 33 and Rajbir Rai with 29 points respectively. Laukkanen is on 27 points.

Ravi Soni, the former National and Safari Rally Navigator champi-on has also climbed up to the top of the Co-drivers series with 47 points while Gareth Dawe, who accompa-nies Onkar Rai, is now in the second place with 27 points followed by Amar Slatch (Ian Duncan’s naviga-tor) in the third place with 25 points.

The top-placed female driver is Natasha Tundo in the 14th place with four points. She shares the position with another group of six drivers each with four points. They include Jansher Sandhu, Tejvir Rai, Varese, Edward Maina and Chan-drakant Devji.

KNRC Championship standings after 2 rounds

PHOTOGRAPHY: ANWAR SIDI

14 = Chandrakant Devji 4 14 = Leonardo Varese 4 14 = Natasha Tundo 4 14= Edward Maina 4 14= Tejveer Rai 4 20 Farhaaz Khan 3 21 Jonathan Somen 2 21= Adil Mirza 2 21= Sammy Nyorri 2 21= Ramesh Vishram 2 21= Rehan Shah 2 21= Gurmit Thethy 2 21= Imran A Khan 2 21= Kimaru Boit 2 21= Osmam Abdullahi 2 21= Jitendra Dhokia 2 21= Dinesh Sachania 2 21= Mahesh Halai 2 21= Alex Lairangi 2 21= Issa Amwari 2

KNRC CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS AFTER 2 ROUNDS CO-DRIVERS1. Ravi Soni 43 2 Gareth Dawe 27 3 Amaar Slatch 25 4 Gurdeep Panesar 23 5 Tim Jessop 21 6 Kavit Dave 20 7 Tauseef Khan 18 8 Raju Chaggar 15 9 Ravinder Chana 14 10 Keith Henrie 8 10= Zahir Shah 8 12 Feisal Khan 7 13 Richard Hechle 6 13= Tuta Mionki 6 15 Chantal Young 5 16 Tony Gikuhi 4

16= Julius Mwanchuya 4 16= Kigondu Kareithi 4 16= Steve Mbuthia 4 20 Adnan Din 2 20= Steven Nyorri 2 20= Atul Kochaar 2 20= George Kiama 2 20= Harshil Limbani 2 20= Shakeel Khan 2 20= Taiti Wachira 2 20= Salim Khan 2 20= Ketan Halai 2 20= Evans Mwenda 2 20= Saima Khan 2 20= Anthony Gichohi 2 20= Edward Njoroge 2

KNRC TWO WHEEL DRIVE CLASS (2WD) CHAMPIONSHIP DRIVERS 1 Eric Bengi 50 2 Leonardo Varese 36 3 Sammy Nyorri 21 3= Alex Lairang’i 21 4 Gurmit Thethy 15 KNRC TWO WHEEL DRIVE CLASS (2WD) CHAMPIONSHIP CO-DRIVERS 1 Kigondu Kareithi 36 2 Tony Gikuhi 25 2 Tuta Mionki 25 4 Steven Nyorri 21 4 Anthony Gichohi 21 6 Harshil Limbani 15

KNRC 2016 CLASSIC CHAMPIONSHIP DRIVERS 1 Jonathan Somen 25 2 Ramesh Vishram 21

KNRC CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS AFTER 2 ROUNDSDRIVERS: 1. Baldev Chager 37 2 Manvir Baryan 33 3 Rajbir Rai 29 4 Tapio Laukkanen 27 5 Ian Duncan 21 6 Jaspreet Chatthe 20 7 Onkar Rai 18 8 Carl Tundo 15 9 Karan Patel 12 10 Izhar Mirza 10 10 Frank Tundo 10 12 Jasmeet Chana 8 13 Eric Bengi 5 14. Jansher Sandhu 4

>>>

Eric Bengi extends his lead in the F2 Championship

Tuta Mionki is the bestplaced female navigator in the 13th place with six points followed by Chantal Young (15th) with ve points and Saima Khan (20th) with two points respectively.

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3 Dinesh Sachania 18 CO-DRIVERS 1 Richard Hechle 25 2 Atul Kochaar 21 3 Salim Khan 18 KNRC DIVISION 1 CHAMPIONSHIP DRIVERS 1 Onkar Rai 46 2 Izhar Mirza 36 3 Jasmeet Chana 31 4 Frank Tundo 25 5 Jansher Sandhu 24 6 Farhaaz Khan 15 6= Tejveer Rai 15 8 Issa Amwari 8

KNRC DIVISION 1 CHAMPIONSHIP CO-DRIVERS 1 Gareth Dawe 46 2 Kavit Dave 36 3 Ravinder Chana 31 4 Raju Chaggar 25 5 Feisal Khan 24 6 Keith Henrie 15 6= Zahir Shah 15 8 Edward Njoroge 8

KNRC DIVISION 2 CHAMPIONSHIP DRIVERS 1 Eric Bengi 46 1 Richard Hechle 25 2 Jonathan Somen 25 1= Tuta Mionki 25 3 Mahesh Halai 21 3 Tony Gikhuhi 21 4 Adil Mirza 18 3= Ketan Halai 21 5 Adnan Din 18

KNRC DIVISION 3 CHAMPIONSHIP DRIVERS 1 Chandrakant Devji 43 2 Natasha Tundo 33 3 Leonardo Varese 28 4 Sammy Nyorri 21 4= Osman Abdullahi 21 6 Edward Maina 18 7 Ramesh Vishram 15 8 Rehan Shah 12 8= Alex Lairangi 12 10 Gurmit Thethy 10 11 Jitendra Dhokia 8 12 Imran I Khan 6 13 Kimaru Boit 4 14 Dinesh Sachania 2

KNRC DIVISION 3 CHAMPIONSHIP CO-DRIVERS 1 Julius Mwanchuya 43 2 Chantal Young 33 3 Kigondu Kariethi 28 4 Steven Nyorri 21 4= Evans Mwenda 21 6 Steve Mbuthia 18 7 Atul Kochaar 15 8 George Kiama 12 8= Anthony Gichohi 12 10 Harshil Limbani 10 11 Saima Khan 8 12 Shakeel Khan 6 13 Taiti Wachira 4 14 Salim Khan 2

>>>

Alex Lairang/Anthony Gichohi (Toyota Sprinter GT)

Osman Abdullahi Osman/Evans Mwenda (Subaru N10)

Eric Bengi/Tuta Mionki (Toyota RunX)

Mahesh Halai/Ketan Halai (Subaru N12)

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By Sharifah Namagoba Ramah

With three events remaining on the 2016 Africa rally champion-ship, the crew of Don Smith and Bob Kaugi from Kenya believe

they are getting closer to their first ARC title despite a slender points lead on the ARC log.

Smith maintained his ARC lead after fin-ishing second in the ARC category and ninth overall during the Zambia international rally over the weekend.

He leads with four points ahead of Zam-bia’s Muna Singh Jr who stands on 50points.

Despite finishing behind Muna in the last two events, Kaugi; Smith’s

navigator believes the remaining events will provide grounds for their first title.

“Now that we are going to the area with the roads that we are versed with, we hope to do much better. Tanzania has a bit of smooth and fast roads same as in Uganda,” he added.

The crew is anticipated to hit the East Af-rica region in a new car; the Subaru Impreza NR4.

“We hope to be in a new car by Tanzania if

all goes well,” he asserted.ARC will head to Tanzania in July then

Rwanda and Uganda to seal the six rounds.

ARC standing.1.Don Smith/Bob Kaugi 54points2.Muna Singh/Jasmeen Singh 50pts3.Gary Chaynes/David Israel 25pts4.Ismail Ibrahim/Johan Bruin 15pt

Kenya’s Smith hopes for the best from East Africa region

PHOTOGRAPHY: ANWAR SIDI

Now that we are going to the area with the

roads that we are versed with, we hope to do much better. Tanzania has a bit of smooth and fast roads same as in Uganda,”

Without Prejudice

Mainstream media deserves fair treatment from rally-sport organisers

Mainstream media platforms pro-vide a highly accessible com-munication medium for motor sports administrators, fans,

crews and sponsors alike.The motor sport media has over the years

played a pivotal role in delivering desirable PR Value (PRV) of the Kenya National Rally Championhip and readily adopted the use of social media platforms to reach out to a myr-iad enthusiasts in Kenya and across borders.

Given the rising number of spectators, the

mainstream media is becoming ever more important and gives the rally-sport organiza-tions the opportunity to make news, whilst also managing their events.

However, some organizers in Kisumu ran the event in total disregard of PR and media values.

Organisers are under the obligation to give media information when it really matters and this should not appear to be seen as if it’s a fa-vor being extended to members of the Fourth Estate.

As if to add insult to injury, there was lit-erally no Media or spectator information fourthcoming from the organisers. This cul-minated into total confusion on the ground with spectators and Media moving up and down in pursuit of favourite viewing spots - what a shame.

These are truly the consequences when the organisational setup is disconnected from the media.

Media deserves better treatment in future. This is food for thought to the organisers

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