Anwar ready to show rivals dust in 'Vasha' jungle

Kenyan driver Hamza Anwar during the WRC Safari Rally Shakedown in Loldia Naivasha last year. [File]

FIA youngster driver Hamza Anwar is among locals who are hoping for a good finish in the seventh leg of the World Rally Championship (WRC), the Safari Rally next week in Naivasha.

Anwar says his preparations for the event are complete and he is just waiting to rumble in the 'Vasha' jungle.

Anwar plans to use his experience he gained in competing abroad to fight for honours in the leg.

"I'm all set to go. I will be looking for an impressive outcome," he told Standard Sports.

"It's great that McRae Kimathi and I have been going for the series abroad. We have raced in Europe and the experience there has sharpened our skills."

" Hopefully, we might get undue advantage over our rivals because of the skills and tactics learnt. Some of the countries we travelled to were Sweden, Portugal, Estonia and Italy, courtesy of Kenya Airways and Safaricom and the experience gained while racing there was incredible," added Anwar.

Anwar, Kimathi and Wahome, who are also sponsored by the global motorsport governing body FIA, will compete in their Ford Fiesta Rally 3 machines which are all in top shape ahead of next week's showpiece.

Meanwhile, a total of 37 drivers have confirmed participation in the WRC Safari Rally following entries of three more drivers in the Kenya National Rally Championship (KNRC) category of the event.

The latest entrants are Issa Amwari (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 10), Jasmeet Chana (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 10), and Josiah Kariuki (Subaru Impreza).

They join 12 other Kenyan drivers who are already listed in the championship.

The event has attracted 22 foreigners led by world and Safari Rally champion Kalle Rovanpera of Finland.

Of the 12 drivers, only eight will contest for points in the WRC at the WRC 2 and 3 categories.

Those who will score points in the main WRC are the three Ford Fiesta Rally 3 drivers Kimathi, Anwar and Wahome, in the WRC3 category.

National champion Karan Patel (Ford Fiesta), Piero Cannobio (Hyundai i20 N), Aakif Virani (Skoda Fabia), Samman Vohra (Skoda Fabia), and Carl Tundo (Skoda Fabia) will be competing in the WRC2 class.

Nikil Sachania (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 10), Minesh Rathod (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 10), Josiah Kariuki (Subaru Impreza) Evans Nzioka (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 10) and Edward Maina (Subaru Impreza) will score national championship only.

Organisers have also reduced entry fees to Sh25,000 from Sh50,000 as an incentive to entice locals to compete in the Safari and enjoy the limelight together with top professionals.