Battle of titans: Kukadias family takes sibling rivalry to Nguu Tatu in final rally

The Subaru that will be driven by Malindi-based Milan Kukadia during the Nguu Tatu rally in Mombasa on Sunday. [PHOTO: ERNEST NDUNDA/STANDARD]

It will be a battle of machines and man as sibling rivalry takes centre stage during the Mombasa Motor Club (MMC) rally set for Sunday.

The rally at the Nguu Tatu in Kiembeni, Mombasa County, will be the last event for MMC 2014.

Roy McKenzie, the MMC chairman, has been holding monthly budget rallies ostensibly to whip up enthusiasm among competitors and to also prepare coast drivers and navigators for the bigger challenge that is the KCB Kenya National Rally Championship (KNRC).

McKenzie said the total mileage of the rally is 32km.

"We are running 4km per loop but with a new format, which is a bit longer than the last event," said McKenzie.

Representing Malindi town are the Kukadia led by Kantilal Senior and his sons Milan and Sagar. Kantilal is an old hand in racing, having navigated in the KNRC in the 1990s. He made his return to rallying last year.

Inderjeet Singh Puee, the nephew of KNRC driver Vicky, has entered a buggy and anticipates a good fight with his elder brother Sohanjeet Singh Puee.

Sohanjeet will be driving a Subaru Impreza N10 and anticipates a repeat of his previous impressive performance in MMC Miritini Rally where he clinched second overall position.

"Well, they are many entries this time round which is good for the sport. I'm really looking forward to this race since I missed the last one. A lot of good competition is expected from all drivers, of course. But I just hope it remains dry on the race day. The track is hard to drive on the wet especially in a buggy," said Inderjeet.

Inderjeet's buggy frame was built for him by his uncle Vicky.

Much is expected from the Mirzas of Coast Pekee Racing who are back in action.

The youngest member of the family Ali Mirza, who previously drove go-karts in the RVM&SC Championship. He will be making his debut on rally cars up against his elder sibling Adil Mirza.

Adil, a younger brother to KNRC Division II driver Izhar Mirza, is no stranger to the rally-sport having previously navigated his dad Ajaz Mizra in the KNRC in Kajiado and most recently Vicky.

Yusuf Pasta, who started his racing career with a Forester, will be on his second outing in the ex-Hakuuz Subaru N10, which was previously driven by Raaji Bharij in the KNRC.

Naushad navigated by Adnan Din has been the fastest man in the MMC stable.

Naushad, who is also the Treasurer for MMC, has had a good run in the KNRC previously having tasted top 10 finishes as well winning the Johnny Hellier Memorial Trophy, which is traditionally bestowed to the top placed Coast driver in the KNRC Mombasa Rally.

Tarveen Singh Oshan of Sideways Rally Team, a carpenter by profession, says he will be going for the jugular in the buggy class and anticipates a good fight against Inderjeet. Tarveen buggy is powered by an 1800cc Toyota engine.

It will be exciting to see Paras Pandya of Synergy Gases return from sabbatical with his traditional Subaru N10 machine. Paras has participated in selected KNRCs including Nanyuki Rally 2014 where he was navigated by Nairobi-based hockey tactician Falgun Bhojak.

Winner of the 2WD at last month's race Yusuf Khalid is back in action and takes the Formula Two battle to the Toyota Vitz of Jitendra Davda.