By Feverpitch Reporter

Carl ‘Flash’ Tundo launched his 2010 KNRC title defense in fashion around Kerio Valley by winning the KCB Biashara Banking Rally in a Mitsubishi Evolution 9 in Iten.

The Lanet-based farmer had his campaign effectively sewn up when speedster Lee Rose retired in first service in Iten with mechanical gremlins.

Rose settled for Atul Kochhal when his regular navigator Piers Daykin was held up in Timau.

The victory in the Western Kenya Motor Club organised season-opener was a flawless way for Tundo to start his KNRC defense apparently with the 33mm restrictor increase which FIA has allowed effective 2010.

Carl ‘Flash ‘Tundo co-driven by Tim Jessop on their way to victory during the KCB Biashara Banking Rally in Eldoret, Sunday. [PHOTO:SAMWEL NYAKONDO/STANDARD]

Spectators and rally officials were able to keep abreast with conditions on the ground thanks to internet service provider partner i-Way Africa and CarTrack who are tracking the event online.

Five-time Kenya Champion Ian Duncan romped home second on his first event after the dropping of the two percent penalty.

Third was 1999 Kenya Champion Alastair Cavenagh who had to contend with two punctures on the first loop. Baldev Chager came home fourth with Asad Khan finishing fifth overall.

This was Tundo’s seventh win in the Mitsubishi Evolution 9 he acquired from the South African Rally Chicks Lola and Meagan Varlaque last season.

Tundo was all smiles as cars pulled in to the Iten service park: "It was a hair-raising event through quite a bit of traffic on the way.

Difficult to gauge

It was difficult to gauge the speed if there is more power (in the increased restrictor size) as it pulls a lot more on the top end," Tundo said.

Outgoing Division Three Champion Said Hamad and Jaswinder Chana of Yana Tyres team came home ninth and 10th overall. Munir Khan, co-driven by physically challenged Sam Jethwa, earned his second career win in the Two Wheel Drive class after his fairy tale drive in Mombasa last year.

Chager expressed worries that he must revert to his winning formula he exhibited in the 2008 championship.

"We were quite rusty on the first loop but when we started pushing in the second loop, we damaged the shocks," said Chager.

Chager was happy though that the increase of the restrictor from 32mm to 33mm improved the pace. "You could actually tell that you are gaining speed especially in the straight," said Chager.