All set for battle between man and machine in Kilifi on Saturday

Jasmeet Chana navigated by Ravinder Chana driving Mitsubishi Lancer cruises through Oserian section during WRC Safari Rally Kenya 2021 at Oserian section in Naivasha on June 25, 2021. [Stafford Ondego, Standard] Title contender Jasmeet Singh Chana said the time has come for a change in approach as he chases his maiden title against leader Karan Patel at the Saturday's Kenya National Rally Championship in Kilifi County. Better known as 'Iceman' in racing circles, Chana is among the favourites for this season's crown having savored a 100% finish record so far in 2022. However, Chana believes that he needs more podium scores in his Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X to catapult him to the summit of the table for the first time in the season. Chana has had his dedicated team of mechanics working round the clock to ensure the Group N Evo is in good nick well in time for the sea level showdown that has attracted top drivers. Six points separate Chana from leader Karan who has amassed 167points on the overall championship log after Il-Bisil, Nakuru, ARC Equator Rally, WRC Safari Rally Kenya, Eldoret and the recent Nanyuki race. "So far everything looks good and we are ready to tackle the rally. We haven't managed to do a lot of testing; but just about 100km over the week," said Chana. "Mombasa Motor Club rounds have always treated fans to some exhilarating displays. I vividly remember doing the night stage at the Mombasa Cement crusher which was a great experience at breakneck speed." Minti Motorsport ace driver Raaji Bharij is among the favourites to win the MMC event, though he is out of contention for the title having missed out in five rounds this season. Raaji will tackle the iconic Coast fixture in a Skoda Fabia Rally2 accompanied by former Baldev Chager's navigator Ravi Soni. Another Rally 2, a Hyundai i20 NG, is in the hands of home driver Piero Canobbio who hopes to make all the local knowledge count on home turf. Piero's i20 N Rally2 car is the successor to its i20 R5 currently running in national and continental championships across the globe, as well as World Rally Championship's third tier championship-WRC3. Three rounds Asked about Raaji's presence in the forthcoming event, Jasmeet- who is teaming up with his brother Ravi Chana- quipped: "Raaji is not in the equation. Our focus is on Karan. We shall try to up our game for the remaining three rounds, so let's see how it goes." Raaji's navigator Soni was all smiles. "Our focus is on learning the car and getting seat time in readiness for 2023. It's only our second event in the Rally2 Skoda and there is still so much to learn," noted Soni. Meanwhile, Evans Kavisi and his KCB racing team stablemate Nikhil Sachania have said they are ready for the weekend's rally. Kavisi returns to the bucket seat of his Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X following his eleventh-hour retirement on WRC Safari Rally Kenya in June.With an apparently insatiable appetite for success, Kavisi will be looking to dust off a few cobwebs in the MMC leg of the series which will start and finish at Bamba's Mwezamoyo School in Kilifi County. Despite his retirement in Nanyuki last month due to reliability gremlins, Nikhil reiterates that he has found his rhythm on his hand-controlled contraptions.

All set for battle between man and machine in Kilifi on Saturday

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