Baldev Chager is King of the Hill: Former champion wins inaugural event

Baldev Chager on his way to victory in Hill Climb challenge at the weekend. [Courtesy]

Rally driver conquers after bagging title in Aberdare.

Baldev Chager became the first “conqueror of the Hill” by winning the Rift Valley Motor Sports Club’s round of the Hill Climb event over the weekend.

The event, making its debut in the hills on the outskirts of Aberdare Hills Golf Resort, attracted 50 competitors from various sections of the motor sports competition across the country.

Chager, having made his name as an accomplished rally driver by winning the Safari Rally on several occasions, left a mark in the country’s maiden Hill Climb competition by securing victory in the Shell Kenya sponsored event in his Mitsubishi Lancer Evo10.

Anthony Nielson, former two-time Kenya Motor Sports Federation personality of the Year (in 2012 and 2014), was the best-placed two-wheel-rider in his Motorcycle Class.

Tash Tundo was the best lady driver in 16th place driving her regular rally car. Chantal Young, who navigates Carl Tundo in the Kenya National Rally Championship series, finished second in the Quad Class that was won by Shaheen Mughul.

Rally drivers ruled the championships with Carl Tundo, Ian Duncan, Karan Patel and Okar Rai occupying top positions.

Duncan, one of the three former Safari Rally champions, emerged victorious in the Buggy Category and also finished 8th in the Car Class in his Ford Capri. Carl Tundo was placed fourth driving his Mitsubishi Lancer Evo10.

Ryan Bailey was fifth in the Buggy Class but was declared the Junior King of the Hill. Bailey has won the Auto Cross Bambino Champion three times after he clinched the titles in the 2014, 2015 and 2016 Championship. He is also a two-time winner of the Karting Championship.

A three-kilometer uphill stretch was used to determine the speeds of the rally machines coupled with the keen understanding of the competitors to see who was fastest to hit the top of the hill.

The stretch started at the bottom of the hill at 1,942 meters to the top at 2,106 meters.

The championships was sponsored by Shell ,Coca Cola and Intra Africa Insurance.