Tributes flow in for fall rally director: Vohra died on Friday after a road accident

Rally on as tributes flow for JS Vohra: Vohra died on Friday after a road accident

Tundo overhauls Blomqvist as race organise resolve to continue with competition following Vohra's death on Friday

President Uhuru and rally fraternity condoles with family, rally to go on as a mark of respect for the fallen director.

President Uhuru Kenya has led a cross section of Kenyans in paying tribute to fallen East Africa Safari Classic Rally director Jaideep Singh Vohra, who was killed in a tragic accident on Friday.

“At this moment of sorrow and grief, my thoughts and prayers are with the late Vohra’s family, relatives and friends," President Uhuru said.

And as the Motorsport fraternity struggles to come to terms with the tragic death, the rally organisers resolved to soldier on saying, "the decision to carry on with the event is what JS would have wanted.”

JS was driving his car when the accident happened. In the car also were his fellow director Raju Kishinani and the latter’s brother. 

“We believe that he would want the East African Safari Classic Rally to continue and we as organisers believe the 2017 event should continue in his memory. Our deep condolences to go to his family and friends,” East African Safari Classic Clerk of the Course Richard Leeke wrote in a bulletin moments after Vohra's death on Friday.

The last section of the course at Amboseli Fence was cancelled as a mark of respect in honour of Vohra, fondly called JS.

Until his death, Vohra was the national chairman of the Kenya Association of Hotelkeepers and Caterers.

“May God give him eternal rest and the family the strength to bear the great pain,” said Safari Classic Rally Manager Pipi Renu.

Rallysport Sponsorship Liaison Sylvia King wrote :”I know you will all join me in giving Jaideep’s family our deepest sympathy.  The decision to carry on with the event  is what JS would want. His passion for the event and motorsports was ultimate. May he rest in eternal peace.”

Vohra’s remains will be cremated at the Hindu Cemetery in Kariokor at 12.30pm after a funeral service at Pangani Sikh Temple from 11am.

On the course, Carl Tundo, the multiple Safari Rally winner, overtook Sweden's Stiq Blomqvist to lead in the 10-day marathon rally going into Day Four of the 2017 Classic Rally.

Driving his Top Fry-sponsored Triumph TR7, Tundo put a smile on Kenyan rallying fans as he ascended to the top.

Blomqvist's Porsche is said to have suffered transmission failure, forcing him to drive the car backwards for nearly ten kilometres in the last competitive section of Day Three.

Frank Tundo, one of the famous former Safari Rally drivers and the brain behind the Rift Valley Motor Sports Club Classic Rally, lies seventh with Gavin Laurence as his navigator in another Kabras-sponsored Triumph TR7.

Tejvir Rai, another member of the Kabras Team and brother to Onkar Rai, is within the Top-20 spots though still taking a steady drive in his Porsche 911. The experience from the recent Bulgaria Rally seems to have paid dividends.

 ''We had probably more downs than ups. We got stuck in both the stages. Apart from that we lost a lot of time. The waiting didn’t affect us too much but you feel the concentration going off a bit, but that’s the part of the challenge. Just want to focus on tomorrow (today) and get day four under way,'' said Tejvir.

Day four will head for the Diani Beach Hotel after tackling the customary three competitive stages of the day. The crews will tackle opening stage of the day through Taita Hill Lodge (153kms), Shelebwe (78kms) and Mackinon Road (63kms).