By FEVERPITCH REPORTER
Alastair Cavenagh is the overnight leader of the KCB Micro Banking Rally. He cleared the 1.2km super special stage in 1.09 minutes.
Peter Horsey and Geoff Mayes, in a Moto Moto Datsun Debe pick up, settled for second overall position in 1.10minutes.
Peter’s younger brother Alex Horsey was jointly third with Carl Tundo on 1.11minutes.
Over 8,000 spectators gathered at Nyeri’s Ruringu Stadium to view rally cars at full action. The rally was flagged off by Nyeri town MP Esther Mirugi.
The rigorous reconnaissance exercise ended with the drivers describing Mount Kenya route course "twisty and technical."
The first 6km of CS2 Wariruta-Ngunguru stage were very steep and narrow and most of the crews felt there is need for extra caution.
"If somebody breaks up on CS2 then its going to stop the entire rally traffic," said Subaru driver Noormohamed Mohamed. After the shot 1.2km stage at Ruringu, the KCB Micro Banking Rally proper restarts on Sunday.
The event, which opens the eight leg KCB Kenya National Rally Championship, runs 14 stages with a competitive mileage of 160km. Scrutineering took place in the morning at Green Hills hotel. Drivers recounted their experience after recceing the route. A total of 50 drivers have enlisted for the event organised by Rallye Sports Club and co-sponsored iWay Africa, ALS, Car Track and Fly 540.
While teams were busy in scrutineering, KCB Foundation continued with their successful CSR at Nyeri Provincial General Hospital where they donated hospital equipment worth Sh520,000. In attendance were the KCB Foundation Chairman Sue Omanga and KCB Group Chairma Peter Muthoka
"Some stages are just too quick. Others are simple but really technical," said Oilibya Racing driver Charles Hinga.
"CS2, three and four are very tricky stages. They are narrow and laden with tricky ruts. But its encouraging that I have good shocks this time round so I will drive very fast. I really love twisty terrains so I guess it going to be fantastic fun to all," Subaru driver Noormohamed continued.
Former Pirelli star driver contender Raaji Bharij was quite enthusiastic after recce on his maiden drive in his new Mitsubishi EVO9.
"The route is really twisty and technical. I have just recced the fastest stage (CS6) of my life," said Bharij.
The 2WD cars will from today henceforth tackle the full rally. On Saturday, they were pondering on how to endure the full distance.
"I have never seen such a long rally its like two rallies in total. First two stages two stages are too tight with lots of corners. The rest of the route opens up with few rocky stretches," two times 2WD former Champion Leo Varese.
