Naivasha’s Malewa Bay gears up for Hill Climb

The Porsche 911 of Rajay Sehmi & Raaji Bharij power up the Hill during last years Hillclimb. Rajay & Raaji will share the same Porschi 911 on next week's Chloride Exide Hillclimb to be held in Naivasha

The scenic Malewa Bay along Lake Naivasha is gearing up for a spectacular  Chloride Exide Hill Climb action with 50 entrants sprucing up their cars ready for a two-day battle starting November 24.

The panoramic venue is a photogenic mix of volcanic gravel and pebbles lining the twisty, smooth and tricky three kilometer-stretch, which makes for a perfect stage for the battle of man and machine.

Ahead of the championship, Malewa Bay CEO Vicky Karugu has issued a rallying call to fans, promising hair-raising and adrenaline-filled show.

Jaspal Matharu has been appointed as the Clerk of the Course for the third and final round of the Sprint event and Karugu opines the event will be one of a kind.

‘’I am eagerly anticipating the weekend of flat out action, which promises once again to be exciting and spectacular. All the fans are welcome to our beautiful and entertaining venue,’’  Karugu said.

Guy Jack, Managing Director of Chloride Exide Group, who have sponsored this year’s  championship to a tune of Sh4million said: “We are honoured to be this year’s title sponsor of the Hill climb in collaboration with the organisers to bring you this years Chloride Exide Hill climb event.’’

Bundu Rally Ltd have also joined the fray as the event’s co-sponsors.

Plans for the race are at an advanced stage with the organisers having announced that over 50 competitors will grace the Hill Climb event.

Linda Hughes, Syaana Jessop and Chantel Young are among the participants who have been lined up for the two-day event.

Unlike a traditional rally set up, the Hill Climb is a lapped event and the fans will have an opportunity of moving around freely while enjoying the action.

The races are scheduled to get underway at 8am on both days with the  circuit distance having been set at 3km. The altitude ranges between 1900 to 2100m.

The 3km circuit is expected to provide motorsport photographers with more than enough points of capturing the action. There will be seven different categories which will include 4WDs, Raids,Bikes, Classics, Quads, Juniors as well as Buggies.

Machines varying from ordinary rally cars to buggies and motorcycles will be seen in action at the hands of some of the most renowned competitors in the local scene.

Cars will run at two minute intervals on the Competitive heats while motorcycles will run at one minute intervals on the Competitive heats.