Muchemi wins Autocross opening round at Jamhuri Park

By Feverpitch reporter

Rally driver Ben Muchemi won the opening round of the Kenya National Autocross Championship at Jamhuri Park on Sunday on his second ever outing with the Mitsubishi EVO6.

The first time he ever raced this ex-Dinesh Sachannia Mitsubishi was during the recent Nyeri KCB Rally.

"The car handles well and I’m happy for the win," Muchemi said.

This was Muchemi’s biggest feat after winning the KMSF Motor Personality of the Year in 2009. Muchemi also got two bonus points for posting the Fastest Time of the Day when he cleared the second heat in 2.08.85minutes.

Defending Champion Keith Henrie could not fix his buggy in time and resorted to using Muchemi’s N10 subaru, finishing second overall.

"I broke the drive shaft in the third heat. I’ll be on my buggy in the next round," Henrie said.

Photojornalist Geoff Mayes drove Muchemi’s Subaru N10 to third place. This is the first time quads took part in the event.

Courtesy of Muchemi’s three rally cars, the event had six extra entries. Charles Mugo won the under-24 class followed by Eugine Maina while Zane Young was third in a quad.

The quads class winner was Peter Young, followed by his two children Zane Young and Chantal Young in third place. The buggy class was won by Samir Khan, followed by Kyle Lucas and teenager Eugene Maina in third.

The upcoming driver award went to debutant Waita Nzioki of Safaricom corporate afairs. Nzioka, who participated in the Media Rally for the first time last year, finished ninth overall. Joel Muchiri, a rally driver, finished sixth on his autocross debut.

Kick Energy have come on board to support the Autocross Championship and this includes filming of the event and providing the Energy drink to teams.