Carl Tundo navigated by Timothy Jessop driving Volkswagen Polo Evo cruises through Oserian section during WRC Safari Rally Kenya 2021 at Oserian section in Naivasha on June 25, 2021. [Stafford Ondego, Standard]

Carl Tundo, co-driven by Tim Jessop, clocked 1:50:52.5 to win the seventh leg of the Kenya National Rally Championships (KNRC) in Nanyuki at the weekend.

The Top Fry Racing speedster triumphed in the competition despite a five minute penalty after getting assistance from Jammeet Chana after his Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X, stalled at the CS6 Greystone 2 TC End.

The victory stretched Tundo’s lead in the series with only two legs to go. Aakif Virani of Arrow Rally Team emerged second in 1:51:22.8.

The Skoda Fabia driver was cautious with the tough Nanyuki terrains, evading threatening obstacles that could have derailed his times as he raced to  score a personal best in his KNRC career.

Uganda-based Amaanraj Rai, navigated by Kisumu’s Gurdeep Panesar, completed the podium dash in a KNRC career best third place (1:52:06.8.)

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Defending champion, Baldev Chager, found the going tough, finishing a distant tenth in 2:07:55.4 after he was slapped with a whooping 20 minutes penalty.

Charger had led the pack in the early morning, but picked up a puncture in the second loop.

All ladies crew of Maxine Wahome and Linet Ayuko were ninth overall in 2:07:15.8.

“Our aim this season is to finish the rally and bring the vehicle home in one piece,” Ayuko said ahead of the event.