Rallying scare over KCB and Triton saga

By Standard Correspondent

The Kenya National Rally Championship faces difficult times as the irregular financial matters affecting two of its leading sponsors unfold in the business sector.

A meeting of the major arm of the Kenya Motor Sports Federation (KMSF) is scheduled for tomorrow where the unfolding matters affecting the sport may be addressed under urgent matters, sources revealed.

With trouble brewing between the Kenya Commercial Bank and the Triton Petroleum Company over debts, the situation could spill to the motor sports arena as both parties share major interests in promoting KNRC series.

Involved in promotion

KCB has been involved in the promotion of the KNRC series for over four years, while Triton has played a double role by not only sponsoring the events, but also a team of two proficient drivers, Baldev Chager and Lee Rose, who went to finish first and second in the overall standings of the 2008 KNRC series. The three-year deal between KCB and the Kenya Motor Sports Federation is worth Sh105m and is set to expire at the end of the 2009 season. Triton’s deal with KMSF is said to be over Sh4m, while the two drivers were contracted for approximately Sh3m, according to a reliable source.

The source, who sought anonymity, said a meeting of the major arm of KMSF is scheduled for tomorrow where the issue may be addressed under urgent matters.

It remains to be seen how the present climate will affect the annual awards presentation ceremony at the end of the month where the main focus is set be on two of the Triton-sponsored drivers as champion and runner-up of the 2008 KNRC series.

Meanwhile, new rally cars are set to grace the motor sports season as drivers prepare for the 2009 KCB-sponsored Kenya National Rally Championship series. Reigning and former national champions Carl Tundo and Alistair Cavenagh have both acquired Mitsubishi EVO9s as they contemplate their plans for the coming season. Tundo has bought his car from Lola Verlaque of South Africa while his old car, which he destroyed in the Mombasa Rally, has been taken by Kunal Pattni.

Cavenagh, the 1999 champion and one haunted by bad luck for destroying rally cars, is waiting for a Mitsubishi Evo9 from Australia. Azar Anwar has bought his old Mitsubishi Evo8.

Raaji Bharij is said to be interested in Alfir Khan’s Subaru Hatchback and Kirit Rajput is contemplating buying a standard Subaru N10 and convert it to a rally car, while Navraj Hans of Tanzania is in the final stages of purchasing Hediaki Miyoshi’s Mitsubishi Evo9 for the Pirelli championship. Newly-crowned national champion Baldev Chager said he would stick to his current car but will upgrade it with engine, transmission and engine management to achieve better performance. Those planning to sell their old cars before acquiring new machines, include Susheel Shah, Glen Edmunds, Richard Onyonyi and Yogesh Patel.