Eric Bengi will be the first one off the ramp when KCB Machakos Rally revs off at the expansive Lisa Farm this Sunday.
The Nairobi based driver will be navigated by Peter Mutuma in an ex Tejveer Rai Mitusbishi Evolution R4.
Tejveer Rai will take off in second place in the rotational system of seeding driving a VW Polo R5. Tejveer is one of the fastest rising drivers in Kenya after a second overall podium position ion Nakuru Rally last month. He will be navigated by Gareth Dawe.
Third off the ramp will be the legendary Ian Duncan followed by immediate former champion Carl “Flash” Tundo (EVO10), reigning champion Baldev Chager (EVO 10) and Karan Patel (Ford Fiesta R5).
Bengi has predicted a tough outing in Machakos where he will be going for a podium. “We are happy rallying is now back with consistency. Nakuru event was a good season opener and the coming weekend is Machakos where we will be doing the road sweeping duty. I particularly love the open Savannah grassland at the expansive Lisa Farm. It is an ideal location to hold a rally. Of course, there are many lessons we have learned from Nakuru and I can promise you it will not be your ordinary Sunday drive- see you Sunday.”
The 2021 KNRC started off with Nakuru Rally at Soysambu Conservancy where Chager emerged the victor. Chager led Kabras team to a 1-2-3 finish with Tejveer returning second and his younger sibling Onkar Rrai coming home in third.
The event will count towards the second round of the KCB Kenya National Rally Championship (KNRC).
The last stage of the day will be a power stage where the top three drivers will gain bonus points.
KNRC STANDINGS AFTER ROUND 1-NAKURU RALLY
DRIVERS
1 Baldev Chager (Kabras Sugar Racing) 33
2 Tejveer Rai (Kabras Sugar Racing) 25
3 Onkar Rai (Kabras Sugar Racing) 23
4 Ian Duncan (Ian Duncan Rallying)19
5 Eric Bengi (Menengai Lemon) 17
6 Paras Pandya (Synergy Gases) 15
7 Nikhil Sachania (Filmico Racing) 13
8 Jasmeet Chana (CRS/Jaguar Petroleum) 11
9 Ghalib Hajee 9
10 Evans Kavisi 7
11 Daren Miranda 5
12 Edward Maina 4
13 Rajiv Ruparelia 3
NAVIGATORS
1 Ravi Soni 33
2 Gareth Dawe 25
3 Drew Sturrock 23
4 Anthony Nielsen 19
5 Peter Mutuma 17
6 Falgun Bhojak 15
7 Deep Patel 13
8 Ravi Chana 11
9 Sinder Suddle 9
10 Absolom Aswani 7
11 Wayne Fernandes 5
12 John Ngugi 4
13 Enoch Olinga 3