By OSCAR PILIPILI　

Lukenya Hills will this weekend witness 4X4 machines in action as the Rob’s Magic Quattro Charge gets underway.

The off-road event will also feature quad bikes, which are eligible for juniors aged between six and 14. A maximum of 40 participants are expected at the event, but this does not include quads.

Out of the 40 slots up for grabs in the Main Class, only five are remaining. Entrants can sign up at the Quattro Charge Secretariat at Rob’s Magic before the deadline.

Harveet Obhrai in a past Quattro Charge competition. [PHOTO: SAMUEL NYAKONDO /STANDARD]

The Quads Class has attracted Dilip Dinesh, Tushal Mavji, Tejas Hirani as well as the Kesal brothers — Mark and Crystal.

Ken Anunda is set to ruffle feathers in the special Intermediate Class for juniors aged 12 to 16. The category is also open to juniors accompanied by their parents.

LUKENYA HILLS

Clerk of the Course Rob Collinge said the event returns to the rocky Lukenya Hills, first used in last year’s Charge. The venue has been kept secret over the past few months.

Collinge reckons that some three spectacular sections, which were not used last year, will be used this time round.

"The sections we did not use last year were the toughest, but we couldn’t use them because it was running late. We have incorporated the three sections this time round," said Collinge.

Entries and fees are applicable to individual drivers at the event. While drivers may share a vehicle, they score points separately, each under his name. However, there is no limit to drivers sharing a vehicle.

Collinge said the deadline for entries closed last Friday, but late entries may be accepted on the day of the event at a fee of Sh2,000 per category until 1pm.

INTENSE RIVALRY

Meanwhile, rivalry is will be replicated in style with different makes of vehicle on the fray.

Diani-based defending champion, John Kanyali, is out to show why he has remained a crowd puller over the years. And he is giving spectators a diverse feeling, what with a new car he will be unveiling at the event.

Kanyali, a go-getter in the off-road events, will use an unfamiliar Jeep, instead of his Mercedes Unimog.

Bookmakers are already wondering if Kanyali will rise to the occasion without the Unimog, which has in the past endeared him to fans. He has assured his fans all will be well, arguing that the Jeep is just another monster in the rigours of the terrain.

Besides, Kanyali, the experts’ class has Range Rover drivers, Gurmeet Mehta, Alex Gibbs and Harveet Obhrai.