Dusty affair as KCB Guru Nanak Rally revs off

Standard Reporter

Following a rigorous Day One reconnaissance, scrutineering and documentation yesterday, 54 crews embark on a massive 458km route course when the 34th Guru Nanak Rally revs in Naivasha this morning.

Clerk of the course Onkar Kalsi announced that the main Naivasha town road will be closed  for 2 and half hours today from 7.30am to 10am to pave way for the ceremonial start at KCB Naivasha branch.

Yesterday, six drivers Raaji Bharij, Malcolm Destro, Asad Anwar, Caroline Gatimu, Minesh Rathod & Dalbir Thethy pulled out of the race  citing technical reasons.

The opening stage today is a 32km stretch running from Kedong Ranch towards Longonot slopes with which the flying finish stretch makes up the designated spectator stage.

There is also a 12km run between Ndabibi  and Aquila Farm. The longest stage is 45 km centred around Suswa.   Yesterday was an equally busy outing for car crews and mechanics alike.

While drivers and navigators set off for an early morning recce, team managers and mechanics presented their rally cars for scrutineering which ran for the better part of day at Naivasha Sopa Lodge.

Rally youngster Quentin Mitchell was enthusiastic of his return to the cockpit for the first time since claiming a career best third overall position at the 61st KCB Safari Rally in Kajiado last July navigated by Robin Dimbleby.

Quentin- who starts off the ramp first from the Naivasha KCB Branch- will however tackle the penultimate KNRC event minus Dimbleby.

“I can’t wait! Tigerlily (Quentin’s Subaru N16) is tested and ready to go!  We will have a new voice calling the (pace) notes this weekend in the form of Harry Green (a newcomer to the sport). Let’s see what the QMR Team can pull out the bag for OiLibya, Lota Motorsports, Roadhawk In-car Cameras, Kenya, and Tarpo,” said Quentin.

Focus will, however, be on 2008 KNRC Champion Baldev Singh Chager aka “Flying Sikh” who is gunning for a second career championship title and this is achievable should he and his partner Ravi Soni bring their Mitsubishi Lancer EVOX back home in the top 10.

Ian Duncan, the six times Kenya champion, will be hoping to clinch a record 12th Guru Nanak title in his Mitsubishi EVO9. Defending KNRC champion Carl  Tundo, who won the 33rd Guru Nanak last year  is determined to win more events.
 

Athletics
Kenya hoping to defend World Cross Country title in Belgrade
Football
Fifa threatens Kenya with ban again
Unique Sports
SCHOOLS: Lenana School, Kisumu Girls and Agoro Sare turn focus on national games finals
Motorsport
Safari Rally: 29 drivers set for epic showdown as Safari Rally zooms off