Motorsport: Man and machine battle is here

Shivam Vinayak, motocross star rider. [File]

Motocross rider, Shivam Vinayak, will be one of the star attractions in tomorrow’s Hill climb competition in Naivasha.

After weeks of rigorous preparation for the Chloride Exide-sponsored event under the Rift Valley Motor Sports Club, 50 drivers and riders will get down to the adrenaline-filled spectacle.

It will be a test of the drivers and riders’ mettle as well as the machines up a three-kilometer stretch with the aim of setting the fastest time over a gradient that rises from 1900 meters to the top at 2200 meters.

The event, which will also be supported by Shell V Power with fuel for the machines has been billed as the ultimate test of the riders and drivers’ dare-devil antics.

Jaspal Matharu is the Clerk of the Course for the first round of the sprint event.

“My aim is have a fun-filled competitive event in order to make it a good show in the Motorsport calendar. It has a bit of everything smooth and quick with sweeping corners going uphill which should produce lots of fun,’’ said Matharu. 

He added: “We have been working on it for the past three months. It’s an old form of competition back to basics about the driver, rider and his machine. We should have some stiff competition from all the competitors. The event is about the fastest lap. There is no cumulative time so you can have a bad lap and still go and win.’’

The Hill climb is a lapped event unlike the traditional rally setup. The organisers have chosen a prime viewing area for spectators to freely move around and enjoy the action all day. There will be a Spectators Mess area where live lap results — “King of Hill” — will be relayed, displayed on a notice board. 

Full catering services will be provided by Jikonis, Nargis, Kai Smokeys and Dormans.

Cars will run at two-minute intervals on the Competitive heats while motorcycles will run at one-minute intervals on the competitive heats.

There will be seven different classes which will include 10 Bikes, 2 Quads, 15 4WDs, 7 Raids, 5 Classics, 7 Buggies and 3 Juniors. 

Though drivers from each of the classes will be aiming to set the fastest times up the 3km stretch, the main focus will be on the competitors from the national rallies competing in the 4WD category.

Leading drivers from the Kenya National Rally Championship contenders will battle it out to see who is fastest up the 3km steep stretch. Drivers will include Baldev Chager, Carl Tundo, Ian Duncan, Onkar Rai, Karan Patel and Tejvir Rai among others.

Machines varying from ordinary rally cars to buggies and motorcycles will be seen in action at the hands of some of the most renowned competitors on the local scene.