History maker Tapio Laukkanen is 2016 Driver of the Year
The 2016 rally champion Tapio Laukannen (centre) displays his trophy flanked by Kenya Motorsports Federation (KMSF) chairman Phineas Kimathi (left) and KCB Bank Group Director of Marketing and Communications Angela Mwirigi during the KMSF awards ceremony at Panari Hotel on January 21, 2017. PHOTO | MARTIN MUKANGU |
What you need to know:
- KCB announce Sh20 sponsorship for new season
- Finn crowns great season of firsts in Kenyan motorsport with top award
Finn Tapio “Flying Finn” Laukkanen is the 2016 Motorsport Personality of the Year.
Laukkanen, who made history as the first foreign driver to win the Kenya National Rally Championships (KNRC) Series last year, was named the winner of the top award in motorsport during the annual gala at Panari Hotel, Nairobi.
Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) announced their return to motorsport with a Sh20 million partnership with Kenya Motor Sport Federation (KMSF) during the awards ceremony.
Tapio, a former Britain and Finland rally champion, who was navigated by Gurdeep Panwsar in a Subaru Impreza, won four out of eight rallies.
Tapio won in Kajiado, Wundanyi, Eldoret and Nanyuki.
Legendary Ian Duncan, navigated by Amaar Slatch, was feted as Group N winner while Division I went to Onkar Rai/ Gareth Dave as Mahesh Halal/Ketan Halal won Division II.
Natasha Tundo/ Chantal Young won Division III while the Two Wheel Drive accolades went to Eric Begi/Tuta Mionki.
Kenya Commercial Bank Group Marketing and Communications Director Angela Mwirigi said the partnership with KMSF will see the bank sponsor the 2017 KNRC and eight autocross events.
“We will expand from KNRC that covers Safari Rally to autocross since we are committed to seeing the growth of motorsport in the country,” said Angela.
2016 Motorsports Personality of the Year:
Tapio Laukkanen
KNRC winners:
Tapio Laukkanen/Gurdeep Panesar
Group N: Ian Duncan/Amaar Slatch
Division 1: Onkar Rai/Gareth Dawe
Division II: Mahesh Halal/Ketan Halal
Division III: Natasha Tundo/Chantal Young
Two Wheel Drive: Eric Bengi/Tuta Mionki
Classic: Ramesh Vushram/Riyaz Ismail
Supplementary: Chanddrakant Devji/ Julius Mwanchuya
SPV: Asad Khan/Harshil Limbani
Kenya National Rally Raid Championship:
Overall champions: Gray Cullen/Jon Bovard
Motorcar: Ian Duncan/Kavit Dave
Buggy: Vincent Boulanger/Didier Simonis
Motorcycle: Ross Field
Quad: Shazar Anwar
Kenya National Autocross Championship Winners:
Class 1: Smaan Vohra
Class 2: Imran hakada
Class 3: Jasraj Sehmi
Class 4: Azar Anwar
Class 6: Shazar Anwar
Class 7: Ryan Bailey
Class 8: Rajveer Thethy
Kenya National Enduro Championship Winners:
Clubman: Gerald Taylor
Expert: Alan De Boer
Kenya National Motorcross Championship Winners:
MX 50: Atete Benziga
MX 65: Jet Takkunen
MX 85: KIgen Kiplagat
MX 125: Rolf Kihara
MX2: Ngugi Waweru
MX 1: Isaac Kuria
Kenya National Karting Championship Winners:
50cc: Tsevi Soni
60cc: Amani Nzomo
Rotax: Jaivir Xav Dadhley
Sodi: Mohammed Mudasir
