Amaan Ganatra's pole at British Rallycross impresses motoring enthusiasts

Amaan Ganatra in past action. [Courtesy]

Having already taken some impressive scalps on Kenyan circuit racing, motoring prodigy Amaan Ganatra made an indelible impression at the season-ending Motorsport UK British Rallycross Championship Round 10  behind the wheel of a Suzuki Swift Junior contraption.

The 15-year-old Kenyan rising star once again rewrote history books as the first Kenyan to secure  pole in the qualifying heats.

Unfortunately, car issues meant he was unable to complete in the finals; but his pace in the Qualifying Heats at the weekend’s season-ender left his race adversaries and British race purists flabbergasted by his brilliant drive.

Amaan  pulled out all the stops to top qualifying heat standings overall after coming second in QH1, QH2, and QH3.

The competitive Motorsport UK British Rallycross Championship Round 10 event took place at the 1400 m Lydden Hill Circuit, where Amaan was the star attraction after Qualifying Heat 3.

Reflecting on the just ended season, Amaan commented: “It’s such an amazing feeling, although car gremlins meant I couldn’t participate in the finals. My pace is closer to where I want to be, though, and this goes to show how satisfactory my driving lines are at the present. It is always a great pleasure coopeting in this single-make series, by and large”

 Flashes Of Brilliance

Asked about his qualifying heat antics, Amaan quipped: “Topping the standings after Qualifying Heat 3 was an amazing feeling. But the essence going forward will be to race neck and neck with the big boys in the championship. After competing in three races this season, I have a clue what to expect in the mext season and the facets of competition to sharpen.”

Amaan took part in three events of the 2024 British Rallycross series, finishing third in August, which was a first for a Kenyan competitor in the series.

“I have to say a big thank you to Team Ganatra, the officials of the series and everyone around the competition here in Lydden Hill. My opponents make this competition a super event. It is an amazing family,” Amaan said gratefully.

MOTORSPORT UK BRITISH RALLYCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP

ROUND 10 -JUNIOR STANDINGS AFTER QUALIFYING HEAT 3 LYDDEN HILL CIRCUIT (1300 M / 1400 M)

1.# 222 Amaan GANATRA KEN (Suzuki Swift Junior) 135 points  

2.⁠ ⁠#119 Teddie MACPHERSON GBR (Suzuki Swift Junior) 132 points 

3.# 84 Cayden HARRIS ENG (Suzuki Swift Junior) 122 points

4.# 631 Phoebe CAKE GBR (Suzuki Swift Junior) 119 points

5.⁠ ⁠#444 Benjamin BARTLETT ENG (Suzuki Swift Junior) 100 points