It's battle of man and machine in Nanyuki

Carl "Flash" Tundo's Triumph TR8 arrives at Fairmont Mount Kenya Safari Club in Nanyuki, Laikipia County, for scrutineering ahead of the start of Top Fry Classic safari rally, July 30, 2019. [Mose Sammy, Standard]

All is set for the start of the third edition of Top Fry Classic Safari rally that will be flagged off this morning by Laikipia governor Ndiritu Mureithi from the Fairmont Mount Kenya Safari Club.

Al the 24 classic cars participating in this year’s rally were given a clean bill to zoom off after the scrutineering exercise yesterday.

“So far all the cars have been conforming to our checklist, we must ensure that they measure up to the highest required safety standards possible.” according to Musa Locho, the Chief scrutineer.

With most of the drivers exuding confidence to excel in the gruelling rally that will see them cover 1,500 kilometres in a test of endurance.

Omani based Kenyan born Joey Ghose navigated by Stephan Prevot racing in an MTN Motorsport sponsored, X-treme Ford Escort Mk1 who finished crashed out of the Mini Classic rally last year, said it would be great to just finish the rally.

“Finishing the rally alone would be no mean feat, for this kind of rally, that calls for lots of endurance,” said Joey. “This will be my third appearance in the Top Fry Classic Rally and having finished 16th in the second edition, I will be counting on what we learnt then to make a better impact this year.”

“Everyone is out for a win, that’s what we came for but I can place my money on either Boldy or Flash, they stand a better chance going into this event,” he added.

With 52 years of experience in motor rallying, Tanzanian rallying guru, Jayant Shah 77, in a Porsche 911 will be another notable entrant to watch.

Jayant, four-time Kenya Rally champion 1981, 1982, 1983 1985 and also a four-time the WRC Himalayan Rally winner the same years will be co-driven by Arshad Khan who navigated him in their 1985 triumph in Himalaya.

“I love long rallies, short one are made for young men but safari rallies are made for real men and machines that can withstand the test of time and this classic rally is my kind of thing,” observed Jayant. “I know Frank Tundo, a distinguished rally driver by himself, has done a remarkable job with the route. Everyone stands a chance going into the rally, personally am ready to finish the race, that’s my main objective. All we need to do is keep moving from start to finish.”

Today, after the flag off, the cars will head out to Loldaiga competitive section, covering 47.70kilometers with the first car expected at the first at 9:15 before heading out to Naishu, Naibor through Doldol by 15:02 with the cars expected to cover a total distance of 276.23 kilometers by the time they arrive back at Fairmont Mount Kenya Safari Club for Perc Ferme and an overnight stay.