Baldev Chager bounces back with the fastest time

Raaji Baarji navigates through the third leg of the Top Fry Classic Rally, August 2, 2019. [Mose Sammy, Standard]

Baldev Chager aka Boldy of Kabras Racing Team, went flat-out to reclaim the pole position, from teammate Onkar Rai who had snatched it from him during the second leg.

Boldy, in a Porsche 911, was first through competitive section seven, that cover 76.00km, in under an hour at 56:36:0. Ahead of South African Geoff Bell 58:24:5 with 01:48:5 and Raaji Bharij. Also in Porsche 911, the winner of Leg 2’s CS6, with the sections fastest time of 34:59:1.

I’m really enjoying it. Here, I was a bit scrappy. A couple of junctions I came in too fast. I just need to tidy up in the loose stuff and I think we can improve,” said the Boldy, after at the third leg.

Bharij, winner of the maiden 2016 Top Fry Classic Rally event, unfortunately, retired from leg three, after being held by the car ahead of him. Things were made worse for him when he broke his windscreen together with the headlights’.

Boldy won, CS8 spanning 116.90 kilometers, CS8 64.43 kilometers as well as the last section of the third leg, CS9 covering 76.00 kilometers reclaim the top position with a combined time of 08:51:18.8 from Onkar Rai.

Nakuru-based Menengai Oil Refineries, are 2019 Top Fry Classic Safari Rally title sponsors. Others are; The Standard Group Plc, Fairmont Mount Kenya Safari Club as part of their 60-year anniversary celebrations, Aquamist, Best Whisky and Laikipia County Government.

The third leg, saw drivers revisit the opening wet route, but in reverse. Which presented most drivers with a myriad of challenges. That slowed them down, while others bolted out.

South African Lola Varlaque navigated by her dad Edward Varleque in a VW Golf Mk1 comeback was short-lived after they started the third leg but had to pull out once more, after their suspension broke down, among a myriad of mechanical issues.

It wasn’t any better for her sister, Megan Verlaque, co-driven by Rikus Fourie also called it a day after developing mechanical problems. Hoping to pull a joker before the start of the fourth and final leg today.

Kabras Racing Team rounded off the third day with a strong showing as the trio of Boldy, Onkar and his brother Tejveer, all pushing Porsche 911’s, dominated the top three spots.

South African, Geoff Bell in a Team Magnum sponsored Datsun 240Z, was further fourth with 09:13:01:1 ahead of Minti Motorsport Oman racer Joey Ghose in a Ford Escort sustained his pursuit to finish the race fifth place in a time of 10:13:49:0.

The presentation is slated for 5:30 pm thereafter the rally after party will be going down at Moran Lounge, in Nanyuki town. With the music policy being presented by Dj Bash and powered by Al Kakayu Entertainment.