Coast boys set for KCB Amana Banking Rally

By Oscar Pilipili

Coast drivers are looking forward to the seventh and penultimate round of KCB Kenya National Rally Championship (KNRC) series which heads to Kilifi and Ganze.

The two-day Mombasa Motor Club (MMC)-organised KCB Amana Banking Rally is expected to treat enthusiasts to some hair-raising thrills in Kilifi on October 16 and in Ganze the following day.

One of the men to watch is Coast Rally Champion Naushad Kara Lota, who is teaming up with Eddy Mohdhar in a Subaru N12.

Eddy will be spurred on by the presence of his father and Mombasa Mayor Ahmed Mohdhar.

The N12 of Naushad is now undergoing a major rebuild at the Lota Motorsports garage in Tudor. During the last National Autocross Championship in Ganze, Kara had to contend with an over-revved turbo restrictor, which he replaced with a less powerful one.

The Coast assault also boasts of outgoing Division Three KNRC Champion, Said Hamad of Yamakasi Rally Team.

Saidi, now a Division Two KNRC rated driver, will partner up with Victor Okundi in their Subaru N12 machine.

"I just can’t wait to attack on home soil. It promises some good fun racing in Ganze which is a spectacular loose gravel rally. This year, we have not been as robust in our driving lines, considering that it’s our trial year in division two. We are not ready to tackle the likes of Lee (Rose) and Alistair (Cavenagh). However, next year, we will be going flat-out and God willing — if sponsors come on board- — we will surely attack," said Saidi.

Yamakasi have also entered their team ‘B’ of Paras Pandya. Paras will drive the ex-Saidi Version 4 Subaru.

Pandya has had to contend with numerous mechanical and electrical problems in Mogotio where he blew the car’s coil.