Former Ugandan champion Mangat is back to KCB Guru Nakak Rally

Nishal Shah and Avhit Bij in their Premier racing VW Golf Mk2. [PHOTO: FILE]

Former Ugandan champion Jas Mangat, navigated by compatriot Gihan De Silva in a Mitsubishi Lancer EVOX, will be among the five foreigners enlisted for the 35th KCB Guru Nanak Rally slated for Naivasha this Sunday.

Mangat returns to the Kenya National Rally Championship after retiring in September’s KCB Safari Rally in Nanyuki.

A total of 50 drivers are expected to participate in the 35th edition of the Sikh Union organised event first held in 1973 and won by the late Vic Preston Senior and Bill Parkinson in a Mercedes Benz 250.

Other foreigners are Hardev Singh Sira from Britain in a Ford Escort Mexico. Sira is no stranger to Kenya having previously lived in Eldoret and graced the 2013 KNRC Classic class as a leading contender.

Sira will be navigated by Gurdeep Singh Mehangra “Dipps” in a Ford Escort Mexico.

Drew Sturrock from Britain will be navigating Kenya’s Manvir Baryan. Baryan has entered a Subaru Impreza GVB 13.

Zimbabwean navigator Gareth Dawe is in town ready to navigate Onkar Singh Rai of Kenya. Dawe finished second overall in the 2014 FIA African Rally Championship (ARC) behind Romain Comas of Ivory Coast. Ian Duncan, who has tackled selected events in his Mitsubishi EVO9, is entering a Nissan Patrol and will be going for an unprecedented 12th win in the Guru Nanak Rally.

Focus in Naivasha will however be on who takes home championship titles most of which have gone down to the wire.

Carl “Flash” Tundo and Baldev Chager go head to head for the main KNRC title which is a two horse race. Chager needs a podium finish to retain the KNRC title should Tundo win. Leonardo Varese, who is going for his third career title in 2WD, requires a point to win should Dennis Mwenda win.

The KNRC Division Two class pits leader Alasdair Keith up against Mahesh Halai. Tejveer Rai ranked third has an outside chance in the division Two championship tussle.