Rally: Tundo is 2021 KNRC series champion

Carl Tundo savours his overall KNRC victory after finishing third overall in the series last leg in Ilbisil, Kajiado County on Sunday Dec 12 ,2021. [photo courtesy]

Carl "Flash" Tundo finished third overall in the season-closing KCB Guru Nanak Rally to clinch his fifth career Kenya National Rally Championship (KNRC) title in Il-Bissil,Kajiado County at the weekend.

Baldev Singh Charger wrapped up the 2021 season in second position after emerging the overall winner of the Sikh Union Club organized round.

Karan Patel's second overall position in Il-Bissil saw him move up to fourth overall position in the final standings with 110 points.

Chager was peerless in the closing round where he also savored three bonus points for winning the 16km Power Stage at Kudu 2 wrapping up the championship with 174 points.

Tundo and his partner Jessop recaptured the KNRC title with an unassailable cumulative total of 187 points.

Chager was happy with his spirited campaign in the 9-leg series, but the 'Flying Singh" had to contend with playing second fiddle to Tundo who completed a rare double of championship wins in the busy season.

 Tundo was at it in October when he sealed the FIA Africa Rally Championship (ARC) title at penultimate stage on Rwanda Mountain Gorilla Rally.

"It's such an amazing feeling completing a double of championship wins.

"We needed a top nine finish today to win the championship, so we took it very slowly and we are happy to return third overall in the event and winning our fifth KNRC title," said Tundo.

Chager was was all smiles with his third Guru Nanak victory and here is what he had to say: "It's absolutely fantastic emerging the winner in the Guru Nanak which is our home event.

"I must congratulate my navigator Ravi Soni for a great season and the team which has been spot on with the preparations."

Out of the 18 drivers who started the 41st edition of the Guru Nanak event, only 11 survived the demanding course.

Among the casualties included Maxine Wahome, Piero Canobbio, Nikhil Sachania, Kush Patel and Aakif Virani.

Autocross youngsters Rajveer Thethy and Sameer Nanji crowned their KNRC debuts with credible 8th and 11th positions.

Eighteen years-old Thethy, son of former 2WD champion Charan, was awarded the Randeep S Lochab Memorial Trophy for the Spirit of Guru Nanak while Nanji too was given the Supee Soin Memorial Trophy for the most improved driver.

KCB Guru Nanak Rally selected results

1. Baldev Charger/Ravi Soni (VW Polo R5) 1:20.47.2

2. Karan Patel/Tauseef Khan (Ford Fiesta-R5) 1:22.42.1

3. Carl Tundo/Tim Jessop (Evolution 10) 1:28.30.8

4. Eric Bengi/Peter Mutuma (Evolution 10) 1:31.48.3

5. Jasmeet Chana/Ravi Chana (Evolution) 1:37.21.4

6. Hamza Anwar/Adnan Din (Evolution 10) 1:39.44.0

7. John Ng'ang'a/Edward Ndukui (Subaru Impreza) 2:50.17.9

8. Rajveer Thethy/Wayne Fernandes (Subaru Impreza) 1:50.23.7

9. Daren Miranda Amman Shah (Subaru Impreza) 1:54.24.4

10. Leonardo Varese/ Kigondu Kareithi (Toyota Auris-) 2:25.35.2

11. Sameer Nanji/Azhar Hamid (VW Golf 2WD) 2:33.01.3

Final KNRC Top 6 Standings

1.Carl Tundo 187

2.Baldev Chager  174

3.Jasmeet Chana 137

4.Karan Patel  110

5.Aakif Virani 93

6.Onkar Rai  73