LADIES CREW WINS HEARTS: Natasha and Chantal among emerging stars at KCB Safari Rally

Osman Abdullahi, Eric Njogu and Rally Chix were some of the greenhorns who impressed at the 64th edition of KCB Safari Rally over the weekend.

Rally Chix comprising Natasha Tundo and Chantal Louis Young were the only all-female crew in the event. Both survived the demanding conditions of the Great Rift volcanic ash soil terrain. Natasha, who is Carl Tundo’s sister, savoured Flying Hai (their sponsor) as they brought home their Group N Subaru Impreza N10 in an amazing 11th position.

Natasha has only been driving for about a year, and is already showing promise in the male-dominated sport.

Njogu powered his Subaru N10 to eighth overall position while Abdullahi, only on his second KNRC outing, finished 13th which was a repeat performance of his debut in Kisumu last month.

Njogu was chuffed by his career best eighth and this is what he had to say when the dust settled down: “We decided to push from the start. Day 2 was hard. We hit a blind ditch and bent the traction control arm due to intercom failure which forced the navigator to use hand gestures. The mechanics did a great job keeping the car in shape.

“On day three, we had a consistent and controlled drive, kept it neat and tidy as we wanted to secure eighth position. The car performed beautifully and (Tony) Kimondo my navigator was on song.

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He added: This is by far the toughest rally I’ve ever done. It’s great to be amongst the top 10 and the leading Subaru after Tapio.”

Adil Mirza of Mombasa finished 15th overall in his first Safari Rally and second overall in the SPV class navigated by Kashif Shaikh. “I would like to thank Kashif for his superb pace notes and mentoring,” said Adil.

Alex Lairang’i registered his maiden Two Wheel drive victory navigated by Tony Gichohi.

Asad Khan Kalulu returned tenth overall in the SPV class.

Meanwhile, runner’s up in the main class and Two Wheel Drive have taken charge of the series log which enters its halfway stage at the Coast next month.

Jassi Chatthe won the main class ahead of Rajbir Rai while Lairang’i beat defending champion Leo Varese to second place in the Two Wheel Drive Class.

Rajbir, who dominated the better part of Day Two proceedings on Saturday now leads the KNRC log with 60.5 points with is Chatthe placed second on 57.5 and Tapio third on 56.

Despite finishing last (21st overall), Varese jumped to the Two Wheel summit on 60 points, 9 ahead of Lairang’i and 10 ahead of Eric Bengi ,who rehired in Safari.

Lairang’i savoured victory in Two Wheel. “It was a very technical rally but one thing we had in mind was to keep clean and clear lines and take it easy to avoid any punctures or breaking the car. The biggest challenge we had was our intercom failing less than 5kms into cs2 and driving the whole day by sight. It’s every driver’s dream to win the Safari Rally.It was our turn this time round,” said Lairang’i.