Only 20 drivers will compete in Kiamburing Rally Challenge

Chandrakant Devji Chandu in action at Chemase during the FCS EMC Safari Rally held at Chemase in Nandi Escapement. PHOTO BY PHILLIP ORWA

Kiambu County is set to host a low-cost rally contest along the Ndumberi-Limuru Road on October 19.

The third edition of Kiamburing Rally Challenge will only permit 20 drivers although 50 have registered so far for the competition, which has lucrative prizes for the winners.

The event is organised by Motorsports Time Trial and sponsored by Kenya's number one car website www.cheki.co.ke.

It will involve four and two-wheel drive cars as well as classic category. Top drivers Jack Bir and Umang Sonia have announced that they will defend their titles.

The event allows motor sport enthusiasts to enjoy their cars in a safe enclosed environment with low costs as compared to the Kenya National Rally Championships (KNRC).

"We are happy to be associated with a local event organised by young Kenyans, who are enthusiastic about cars. They are definitely worth being watched in the car events space," says Elaine Mathangani, Cheki's Marketing Manager.

Cheki also operates in Nigeria, Ghana, Tanzania and Uganda and also sponsors Ghana's national football team, Black stars.

Meanwhile, Hyundai test driver Bryan Bouffier carried out first shakedown of the car in Germany, checking systems and collecting data for upcoming development tests this year and next.

The newly launched third generation i20 road car is a complete overhaul of the current model, and Hyundai says the WRC version incorporates all the learning and feedback that the team has collected during its first season in the World Rally Championship.

The current i20 World Rally Car was introduced at Rallye Monte Carlo.

Hyundai Motorsport Team Principal Michel Nandan said: "It's always an important moment when you take a car to the road for the first time and this one was no exception. We have been working on the development of our future WRC car for some time now and we were finally able to put the first prototype on its wheels last month. The data and experience that we have accumulated during our debut WRC season has contributed to our approach with this new car."