How Chana will tackle Safari Rally in new machine

Jasmeet Chana (right) with his sibling navigator Ravi Chana. [Courtesy]

Kenya’s reigning Group N champion Jasmeet Chana can’t wait to put his new machine to test in this year’s WRC Safari Rally.

“I am hoping to tackle the WRC Safari Rally in a new machine, but that’s if we manage to sell my current Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X. The Safari is always an event you tackle with extra caution” he said.

The WRC returns to Africa for the second time since 2002. The Safari of old has evolved to fit the modern-day WRC, but its character remains with challenging closed dirt roads, stunning picture-postcard scenery and exotic wildlife.

Chana has not revealed the type of car he’ll compete in, but he is optimistic to make his debut in the FIA Pyramid introduced this year.

Meanwhile, Chana has plans to finish the Kenya National Rally Championships (KNRC) season on a high.

Despite finishing the season’s opening leg second behind Ford Fiesta-R5’s Karan Patel, Chana says he still possess an insatiable appetite for success in the national series events.

The ‘Iceman’ salvaged the runner-up slot despite late turbo scares but notes that his good start has only strengthened his ambitious campaign to come back stronger in the remaining rounds of the KNRC.

“It is always a tall order beating the R5 cars in a Group N, not unless you decide to take unnecessary risks. The strategy is to keep the pressure on, for them to make a mistake. The turbo problem is what we are now working on,” he said.

“I am sure we will solve that issue. The season without the big boys is a bit boring but then again, we shall get used to it. Change always has repercussions, so we shall drive the car to its limit and at the same time, be safe,” he said.

Chana is happy pairing up with his elder sibling Ravi, who is a seasoned navigator in the series.