Rally drivers head to Meru

By Oscar Pilipili

Rallying returns to Meru for the first time in 22 years with the Kenya Commercial Bank Asset Finance Rally starting on Friday.

And drivers are finalising their preparation for the event expected to attract thousands of fans for the high adrenalin action.

Three-time Kenya champion Azar Anwar reckons his top seed status at Friday’s KCB Asset Finance Rally has no big advantage to his charge. Azar, who won the Kenya National Rally Championship (KNRC) series in 1998, 2005 and 2006 thinks being the road sweeper (driving car number one) this weekend, he will only drive to attain the podium position.

Winning Tricky

"Being the driver of number one car, you are actually the first to encounter all sorts of obstacles and winning can be tricky at this time. I’m still learning the new car (Mitsubishi EVO8) and will probably compete for the podium in Nanyuki and then go for an outright win in the remaining rounds," said Anwar.

Speaking during the pre-event monthly briefing yesterday, the Oilibya Racing co-ordinator said he is glad that at 54 years of age, he has remained competitive."

Anwar says that all the frontrunners are eager to rock the winning boat Carl Tundo has been sailing in.

With four rounds gone and the fifth beckoning in Meru and Timau this weekend, Tundo is leading the series with 280 points, 65 ahead of his teammate Alistair Cavenagh and a massive 100 from defending champion Baldev Chager.

He will be flagged-off first outside the KCB Meru Branch on Friday (3.30pm) prior to the 2.2Km spectator stage at the Meru ASK showground.

Overnight Rest

They will take an overnight rest in Meru, with the cars restarting on Saturday morning for Timau prior to the ceremonial finish at Sportsman Arms Hotel in Nanyuki at 4pm.

Anwar will be followed by five-time Kenya champion Ian Duncan in a Nissan Patrol pickup (car number two). Third off the ramp will be Alastair Cavenagh.

Some 40 drivers have enlisted for the event, 32 in the main class (KCB KNRC) and eight in the Formula two. Besides, there will be a lot of rivalry from various classes and the KNRC divisions.

Peter Horsey teams up with Tanzania-based Ugandan Moses Matovu in the KCB Youngster Challenge.

His brother, Alex Horsey, will be seeking to graduate from the Division Three category where he leads Ben Muchemi, Eldoret’s Ghalib Hajee and Mombasa’s said Hamad.