Vinayak wins Rift Valley Motor & Sports Club Motocross in Solai

By FEVERPITCH REPORTER

MX1 champion Shivam Vinayak, Jesse Waithaka (MX50) and MX65’s Rolf Kihara emerged victorious as the third round of the Kenya National Motocross Championship came to a dramatic end at the newly built Rift Valley Motor and Sports Club racetrack in Solai, Nakuru.

Vinayak, who had lost to Cruze Muigai in the last round in Jamhuri, was excited after dominating all the three heats at stake. Muigai was, however, the notable absentee in the RVM&SC round of the national series.

Vinayak said: "It was a fantastic race. I won all three races and it feels good for the regional championship in Kampala over Easter at Garuga racetrack. This was a fantastic track, friendly people and great fun with the karts!

The track was quite tight and dusty. A good start was needed, which I got, to win the MX 1."
Other than a picturesque view of the Menengai crater and motorbikes action, spectators also watched karting action on the adjacent asphalt track, courtesy of Chirag Soni and Davide Bernardi.

The new track was a change of scenery away from the usual Jamhuri Park venue they have ridden on time and time again.

Bikes switched off

In the vicinity of the Clubhouse, it is forbidden to ride bikes into the pit area. The bikes had to be switched off and pushed in front of the Clubhouse to avoid a scenario that would get the grass torn up and the club house filling with dust.

The fantastic occasion drew several local spectators all the way from Nairobi.

"It was tight and technical; a bit challenging for the big bikes," observed the oldest rider Moses Mugo, 50, who came fifth overall in MX1 as his son Charles Mugo finished second in MX1.

MX50 class also saw series leader Jesse Waithaka emerge victorious on 57 points, followed by Ethan Nyachae on 54 points, while Dekker Kihara sealed the podium dash on 41 points. Nikita Sehmi was the only female rider in the event on a KTM 65 bike.

Tutu Maina won the MX2 class to remain on top of the standings and so was Apollo Mbuki, who rode aggressively in the MX125 class.
Jesse Waithaka savoured his third win of the season in 50cc and promised better displays in the season.
"It was a challenging ride. I’m happy to be the first winner in this new track," said Waithaka.

RVM&SC chairman Rob Collinge was happy with the new track, adding that they intend to make motocross a permanent feature.

"RVM&SC is honoured to host the motocross family here in our club," said Collinge.

Riders proceed to Garuga track in Kampala next weekend for the first round of the FIM Africa regional championship.

Among the riders headed for Kampala are Apollo Mbuki, Tutu Maina and Vinayak.
The next round of the motocross series will be hosted by East Africa Motor Sports Club on the weekend of May 5-6.

The most meritorious award went to Nikita Sehmi.