Duncan lands XADO boost ahead of KCB Guru Nanak Rally

Karan Patel and Taussef Khan in a Subaru GC8 in a past rally. [PHOTO:FILE/STANDARD]

Multiple Kenya champion Ian Duncan got a big boost after XADO came on board as his sponsors for this weekend’s KCB Guru Nanak Rally 2014.

Duncan, who will be navigated by Amaar Slatch, will be driving a Nissan Patrol.  Currently XADO is one of the largest manufacturers of innovative car care products and lubricants.

With no iota of certainty what’s up the sleeves of combatants, drivers and navigators have destiny in their hands during the grand finale of the KCB Kenya National Rally Championship 2014 (KNRC) in Naivasha on Sunday. Excitement is already in the air during the KCB Guru Nanak Rally that marks the 35th of the event that was first held in 1973 with the late Vic Preston Senior and Bill Parkinson’s coronation as the winners in a Mercedes Benz 250.

Sunday’s showdown at the Great Rift Valley will not only be a test of nerves and skills but also that of who-is-who in the local rally scene with over 50 entries having been received thus far.

The scenario will be a completely change of setting after the eight-leg series traversed Nanyuki twice and once each in Malindi, Machakos, Kiambu, Eldama Ravine and Kisumu.

To spice up the occasion will be a legion of foreign drivers and navigators. Enterprising Kenyan youngster Manvir Singh Baryan will partner up with Drew Sturrock from UK in a Subaru Impreza GVB13

Uganda’s 2013 champion Jas Mangat, who will be navigated by his compatriot Gihan De Silva in a Mitsubishi Evolution 10, is expected to offer a protracted challenge to the locals in the event organised by Sikh Union Nairobi and cosponsored by Iway Africa, ICEA Lion, ALS, Buffalo Mall and Toyota Kenya.

Zimbabwean leading African Rally Championship navigator Gareth Dawe will call the pace-notes for Onkar Rai.

After skipping some rounds this season, Ian Duncan shall be making an appreciated comeback and his fans are more than enthusiastic to witness his “fast and furious” antics in one of his crowd-pulling “Monster” machines.

Duncan’s identity this season has been a Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution 9 but the six times former Kenya rally champion has opted for a change in a Nissan Patrol which is one of the massive contraptions he has used as crowd-pleasers in previous Guru Nanak editions.

Duncan, who has racked-up an unprecedented 11 Guru Nanak wins, is hoping to become the ‘guru’ for the umpteenth time.