Back to Nyeri as Ruring’u hosts KCB spectator stage

By Feverpitch Reporter

Rallye Sports Club (RSC) is working to ensure all is well ahead of the KCB Rally season opener in Nyeri on the weekend of February 4-5.

RSC Chairman Dave Macharia said two route surveys have been done and the setting in the County is ideal for a spectator friendly showdown.

In line with KCB’s concept to take rallying to the people, Nyeri County enthusiasts will have the opportunity to view rally cars in full action at Ruringu Stadium which is also the venue for the service park.

Meanwhile, Macharia, who is also the Chairman of Kenya Motor Sport Federation, confirmed that Greenhills Hotel is the host hotel for the event. Greenhills, coming on board as co-sponsors for the Nyeri event, is a sister hotel to Nairobi’s Silver Springs.

After the February 4 spectator stage, cars will head straight to the Greenhills for an overnight perc ferme and restart the following day for the main rally. Nyeri residents last had a feel of tutrbo charged machines six years ago when Nanyuki Rally’s spectator stage ran at the town centre, attracting thousands of spectators.

But the last time full rally action was witnessed in Nyeri was three decades ago.

Elsewhere, top drivers are putting final touches to preparation as the race date nears.

The Rai siblings Onkar and Tejvir are working round the clock along with their mentor Baldev Singh Chager at BHP Performance workshop. Onkar won the 2011 KNRC Division Two last season and is looking forward to his debut in the Division One which is the senior most league.

Charles Hinga will also be hoping for a good run after achieving some top 10 finishes last year.

But it will be interesting to see how frontrunners of KNRC go head to head in the tussle for series points.

The Dalbit Rally Team has Alastair Cavenagh and reigning Safari Rally winner Carl Tundo.

Legendary Ian Duncan will be going for his seventh KNRC title, while Chager is hoping for a repeat performance of the 2008 when he won the Championhip in a Subaru N12.

Chager’s Subaru is being driven by Onkar Rai. But Chager feels he has come to grips with his new Subaru N16 what with the teething problems he encountered last season.

This year, the 2WD class is without Joe Muchiri, who has acquired the ex-Richard Onyoni Subaru gc8.

Two times champion Leo Varese will team up with Kigondu Kareithi while current champion James Kirimi teams up with Kimeli Korir from Eldoret.

McRae Kimathi is expected to make a debut in the 2WD and so is Jeff Mburu.