Flash and Boldy rivalry heads to Nanyuki

Kabras racing team driver Baldev Chager crosses the Lorkarkar bridge in Il Motiok, Laikipia north on miod competitive section of the second day of the Top-Fry safari rally, March 30, 2018.[Mose Sammy]

Baldev ‘Boldy’ Chager and Carl “Flash” Tundo are set to renew their rivalry as the Top Fry Classic safari rally raves off at the Fairmont Mount Kenya Safari Club in Laikipia County, tomorrow.

‘Boldy navigated by Ravi Soni is not resting easy even after winning the third leg of the FIA African Rally Championship two weeks ago in Kedong.

The scrutineering will be done at the Fairmont Mount Kenya Safari Club today before the official flagging off by Laikipia governor Nderitu Mureithi tomorrow at 8:00 am.

The seeded start list and route map are to be released today.

According to the start list on www.topfryrally.com, 24 local and international rally drivers have confirmed their participation in the third edition of the classic rally which pits cars manufactured before 1984 and not exceeding 3000cc.

Three South Africans, one competitor from the United Kingdom as well as a maiden entry from Oman will feature in the rally that covers 1,000km of competitive stages.

‘Boldy’ of Kabras Rally team navigated by Soni, has been preparing his 3000cc Porsche 911 but hasn’t test-driven it, in readiness for the gruelling 1,500km rally, through the plains of Laikipia County that has no designated spectator stage.

“We are ready for action despite the fact we haven’t test-driven our car but the service crew is ironing out whatever else might be remaining before the start,” ‘Boldy’ said.

“We are not taking our competition within Group 1 for granted. On our watch list, we have ‘Flash’, who can surprise anyone as well as Ian Duncan whose immense wealth of experience comes in handy for him in such an event.”

“Others on our radar include; our teammate Onka Rai, Tejveer Rai as well as Geoff Bell and the rest in the pack cannot be underrated at all.

“We believe our service crew will finalize every detail ahead of the competition tomorrow,” he added

On the other hand ARC five-time Safari Rally champion  Carl “Flash” Tundo will set his campaign on a Triumph TR 8, which he has successfully pushed through the first Top Fry Classic rally which was won by Raaji Baarij and the second one which ‘Boldy’ claimed after clocking 02.18.39.3.

Group 1 will be pitting the fastest drivers with the title contest expected to be among them, Baldev Chager, Carl Tundo, Onkar Rai, Ian Duncan, and Raaji Baarji.

Ian Duncan, who will be co-driven by Anthony Neilsen in a Ford Mustang will be banking on his experience if his impact in the Laikipia Rally is anything to go by.

“We are all set for the rally tomorrow. It’s been long in coming and we’ve been putting in lots of effort in readiness for this Classic Rally. The Triumph is behaving well and all we are gunning for is pole position. Nothing short of a win,” Tundo said

Kabras Rally team sensation Onkar Rai navigated by Gareth Dawe in a Team Kabras Porsche 911 is also one of the local rally drivers out to prove his mettle.

Nakuru-based Menengai Oil Refinery are the title sponsors of the 2019 Top Fry Classic Rally which is co-sponsored by The Standard Group (as the media partner), Best Whisky, Fairmont Mount Kenya Safari Club as part of its 60-year celebrations.

Others are Aquamist (who are the event’s hydration partner), and Laikipia County government.