Rally: Nakuru to host the next round of the series in March

Carl 'Flash' Tundo co-driven by Tim Jessop driving a MItsubish EVo 9 in action during the Guru Nanak Rally in Stoni Athi, Athi River area. He went to finish first overall. [Standard Sports]

Navigated by Jessop Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution 10, Carl beat defending champion Chager.

Former champion Carl “Flash” Tundo has taken an early lead on the Kenya National Rally Championship log following emphatic victory in the season opening KCB Guru Nanak Rally, which ended at Stoni Athi Resort.

Navigated by Tim Jessop in a Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution 10, Tundo beat defending champion Baldev Chager by a massive 3.15.4 minutes to bag his third career Guru Nanak Rally title.

Tundo had his campaign effectively sewn up when Chager suffered puncture gremlins in the second loop of the grassy course.

Chager led the rally by four seconds from Tundo going into the the latter stages but settled for second overall position when he hit a rock and stopped to fix a puncture. 

Onkar Rai, in a VW  Polo R5, wrapped up the podium dash beating ‘old boy’ Ian Duncan to fourth.

Duncan was driving his ‘monster’ SPV Nissan Pickup navigated by Tej Sehmi. 

Onkar earned three extra points on the Championship log after winning the power stage at SGR section where he beat Chager to second and Flash to third.

Out of the 25 drivers, who took part in the event, only 14 conquered the demanding terrain.

Among the casualties were Kiran Patel, Eric Bengi, Izar Mirza, Moez Malik, Ramesh Vishram, Albert Kigen and Geoff Mayes.

Tundo, who was navigated by Tim Jessop, was all smiles after the race.

“It’s quite a good feeling to begin the season on a high. The route was challenging and we all had lots of issues with the long grass which sucked into radiators and culminated into overheating problems.”

“Guru Nanak Rally is one round in the Championship where everyone wants to win. Going forward, we hope to keep it clean, of course with good preparations.”

Chager was equally elated with his second place finish.

“We were leading by four seconds from Tundo, so it was going to be a nice fun day out but unfortunately, that’s rallying, it’s not over until it’s over.”

“We had a good fight with Tundo through and through but sadly the two Polos of Tejveer and Onkar had issues with the long grass.”

Third placed Onkar was left to rue the grassy surface which he felt organisers should have graded the roads ahead of the race.

“It’s quite disappointing to compete in such roads. They needed to be graded, at least.”

“Other than the grass issue, we had a good run and ran faster when the car didn’t overheat. We are going for the Championship and we want to give Chager and Tundo a run for their money,” said Onkar.

Nakuru will host the next round of the series next month.