Duncan first off the ramp during KCB Nanyuki Rally

Ian Duncan will be navigated by veteran Tej Sehmi in a modified Toyota Hilux. [Courtesy]

The KCB Nanyuki Rally is set to kick off on Saturday morning outside the KCB branch.

Ian Duncan’s specially-modified Toyota Hilux pickup is expected to take off at 7am ahead of 25 other cars in this fifth edition of the 2019 Kenya National Rally Championship.

Duncan will be navigated by veteran Tej Sehmi and will also score points for the non-homologated Specially Prepared Vehicles (SPV) category which has attracted the likes Geoff Mayes in a Land Rover and physically challenged Nikhil Sachania in entirely hand-controlled Mitsubishi Lancer EvolutionX.

Second off the ramp will be defending champion and five times Safari Rally winner Carl “Flash” Tundo and his partner Tim Jessop in a Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution 10 after. Tundo missed out on Kilifi Rally earlier in the month due to family commitments and is determined to make amends in his favourite rally.

Runaway leader Baldev Chager is seeded third ahead of back to back reigning African champion Manvir Baryan in a Skoda Fabia R5. Manvir’s Skoda was out of this world in Kilifi and has since swept the ground with all its opponents across the African continent.

Onkar Rai on his second outing in the VW Polo is seeded fifth ahead of his elder sibling Tejveer Rai, Jasmeet Chana and Eric Bengi.

The 2.3km Batian View Stage will be the designated spectator viewing point as the other two sections – Loldaiga Hills and Ndovu will be closed to spectators for safety reasons, according to Event Director Bimal Patel.

Loldaiga Hills has over the years been synonymous with Nanyuki Rally since they ran their first KNRC in 1998.

This year’s event has attracted 8 drivers in the KNRC Premier Class, 7 in the Division One category and 6 in Division 2.

What’s more, several drivers will be seeking vital points to enhance their championship hopes in their respective classes.

Daren Miranda leads the Formula Two Championship in his as he nurses dreams of winning his maiden title in his longstanding rallying career.

Tuta Mionki and Suzanne Zwager, are the only female rally drivers in the competition.

Tuta is navigating Eric Bengi and Zwager is calling the notes for Geoff Mayes.

Bengi has had a long period to sort out his reliability gremlins after skipping the Kilifi event but is backing off this time round in his bid to secure a maiden finish.

Bengi said: “It’s been some time since we drove the car. We had a long repair period after the Safari breakdown. We also couldn’t make it to Kilifi.

Nanyuki is usually a very good event for us over the seasons and we are hoping to have good tidings this time round. We plan to take an easy drive for a finish, which we have missed.”

NAKURU RALLY START LIST-TOP TEN

1. Ian Duncan/Tej Sehmi –Hilux Pickup

2. Carl Tundo/Tim Jessop –EVO9

3. Baldev Chager/Ravi Soni - Mitsubishi Evo1           

4. Manvir Baryan/Drew Sturrock –Skoda Fabia R5

5. Onkar Rai/Gareth Dawe –VW Polo R5

6. Tejveer Rai/Gavin Laurence -Mitsubishi Evo10

7. Jasmeet Chana/Ravinder Chana -Mitsubishi Evo10

8. Eric Bengi/Tuta Mionki – Mitsubishi Evo10

9. Ammar Haq/Victor Okundi- Mitsubishi Evo10

10. Sonahnjeet S. Puee/Adnan Din (Subaru)

RALLY ITINERARY-1ST CAR

First Loop

07:00: Start -Kcb Nanyuki Branch

07:48: Cs1 Loldaiga Hill's (31.43km)

08:31: Cs2 Ndovu (46.15km)

10:04: Cs3 Batian View (2.3km)

Service A-Batian View (30mins)

Second Loop

11:34: Cs1 Loldaiga Hill's-2 (31.43km)

12:17: Cs2 Ndovu-2 (46.15km)

13:50: Cs3 Batian View-2 (2.3km)

Service B-Batian View (10mins)

14:07: Parc Ferme In -Batian View

RALLY TOTALS

Competitive-159.76km

Transport-127.71km

Total Distance-287.47