Waiting to zoom off

By FEVERPITCH REPORTER

Onkar Rai, one of Kenya’s fastest rising rally drivers, will be heading back to his Eldoret home turf this time round as a rally driver.

Rai, 22, is expected to hit the stride during the iWay, Identisys, ALS, National Oil, Car Track and Keringet-sponsored KCB SME Banking Rally this weekend.

The event will start and end in Eldoret but run its stages in Nandi and Keiyo Counties.

Rai, who acquired Baldev Charger’s 2008 Championship winning Subaru N12 and rolled in his first ever rally during last year’s season-closing KCB Guru Nanak Rally, will be hoping to improve on his recent good performance in Athi River where he finished sixth overall.

Onkar has always been aspired by his uncle, Sarbi Rai — regarded as one of the three "Flying Singhs" alongside Baldev Singh Chager and Jogingder Singh.

Rai’s biggest advantage lies in the fact that Sarbi and Chager have been there for him since he bought the N12 .

Going back home, Rai anticipates better reliability in the company of veteran Supee Soin. Soin incidentally navigated Sarbi in his in the early 1990s and can comfortably brag he has seen rally technology develop through different stages.

"I am honored to sit with him (Soin). He used to navigate over a decade ago and has a lot of experience, which I need. On our first rally and even during training, he has been guiding me on how best to control the car and understand the pace-notes."

Talking of his Guru Nanak roll on the debut rally, Rai recalled: "I panicked! I have never rolled before. I also had a feeling of regret thinking that I had let my family and Chager down. Gladly, everyone was so supportive and I knew the next time I would do them proud."

Rai, who is determined to see his family name back in the limelight, took the big risk learning the ropes with a sophisticated car, while many thought it would have been wiser to use a slower and cheaper car then upgrade later.

"That was my plan, to use an older model and slowly upgrade. Coincidentally, my cars are repaired in the same garage as Chager’s. When I got there to inquire on converting my car to rally spec, I met Chager who told me his car was on sale. I consulted my family and we decided to take up the offer," Rai said.

Rai’s aspirations for the season is to get as much mileage as he can in the car. "I want to get used to the car then I can up my speed as the season proceeds. I do not want to jump the gun and set big goals," observed Rai who did his bachelor’s degree in the UK and is helping in running his family business.