54 drivers set for KCB Rally in Kisumu

By Feverpitch Reporter

Following scintillating action in Nyeri and Lake Bogoria, focus now shifts to Saturday’s KCB Mobile Banking Rally, the third round of the 2012 Kenya National Rally Championship.

The event starts in Kisumu on Saturday at 7.30am and heads to Chemelil where competitive stages will be centred.

A total of 54 drivers had enlisted for the event at the close of deadline Friday April 13.

The N class has 26 entries, the S Class 12 cars, the Classic Car Cup has three drivers while the 2WD has 12.

Defending KNRC Champion Ian Duncan in his National Oil Mitsubishi EVO9 hopes to make amends in Kisumu following his exit in Lake Bogoria where he had to contend with mechanical problems.

Duncan also hopes to take the fight to the high-flying Mitsubishi EVO 9s of Safari Rally winner Carl "Flash" Tundo and Alastair Cavenagh. 

Intense rivalry

The Dalbit Petroleum/Monster Energy drink sponsored duo of  Tundo and Cavenagh are expected to renew their intense rivalry in Kisumu Rally after the Nakuru event where they were only separated by eight seconds after hundreds of kilometres of competitive driving.

The event is co-sponsored by iWay Africa — the communication partners and ALS who are the official chopper providers. 

Amrit Matharu is happy with the progress so far: "Service Park returns to the same venue as last year, which is the Simba Yard in Chemelil. The rally will be flagged off outside KCB Kisumu Branch from 7.30am on Saturday. Thereafter, cars will head to Chemelil for action proper," said Matharu.

On her part, KCB Field Services Manager, Money Transfer Department Millicent Omolo said: "As a leading Bank in sports sponsorships, KCB Group has been greatly involved in the development of local rallying and nurturing talent for close to a decade and has contributed positively to the immense growth of the Kenya National Rally Championship profile."

She said the sponsorship platform has created a symbiotic partnership, enabling the bank to build a relationship with the rallying fraternity, who form a key component of its stakeholders.

"KCB has invested a total of Sh36 million in this year’s national rallying circuit, which will go towards facilitating the KMSF (Kenya Motor Sports Federation) in hosting the rallies throughout the 2012 season," she said.  

Ultimate wish

Meanwhile, a Nakuru rally driver, who bowed out of the Kenya Commercial Bank Rally championships in Nakuru, has vowed to beat favourite Carl Tundo in Kisumu and make it to the podium on Saturday, adds Ben Ahenda.

Fahd Barry said his ultimate wish is to beat Tundo and make it to the podium for the first time and excel in the remaining legs of the rally.

Barry, who will be co-driven by his long time ally Ben Spinks in a Mitsubishi Evo, said he has replaced the generator, which made him bow out in Mogotio, one of the competitive sections during the Nakuru Rally.

"We are now focused on the Kisumu Rally after replacing the previous damaged generator. We have done enough practise and only awaiting the Kisumu route notes," he said.

Barry said they are yet to acquire a sponsor and it would not deter them from competing equally with the rest.

He said he is versed in driving in humid, but not dry dusty conditions.