Laukkanen speeds off to glory in Nanyuki

What you need to know:

  • The Subaru Impreza driver led from start to finish to go top of the standings in the Kenya National Rally Championship.
  • Carl Tundo, though yet to find the right rhythm with his specially-modified Ford Fiesta finished in third place.
  • Former Safari Rally winner Baldev Chager guided his Mitsubishi Lancer to fifth place after setting one of the fastest stage time of the day.

Finland’s Tapio Laukkanen clinched his second consecutive win of the season after winning the KCB Nanyuki Rally on Saturday.

The Subaru Impreza driver led from start to finish to go top of the standings in the Kenya National Rally Championship (KNRC).

“It is nice to win my second consecutive rally of the season. The stages were good and fast. We were fortunate to finish after the front differential of the car broke in the penultimate stage and with just the short spectator section remaining,” Laukkanen told Sunday Nation Sport.

Laukkanen added: “I always plan the stages during recce where once I take the lead, I must try and maintain it to the end. My pace notes help me prepare for an event mentally and physically.’
Laukkanen and reigning national champion, Jaspreet Chatthe were locked together at the top of the table with equal 79 points prior to the start of the fifth round of the series.

The Finn is now four points ahead Chatthe with three more rounds remaining. Chatthe’s Mitsubishi Lancer Evo10 finished in the second place despite a close battle with the Finn that lasted almost to the end.

Carl Tundo, though yet to find the right rhythm with his specially-modified Ford Fiesta finished in third place.

The car, that is fitted with an engine and transmission equipment from the Mitsubishi Lancer Evo10, had teething problems in the Nanyuki event before taking podium position.

FASTEST STAGE TIME

Former Safari Rally winner Baldev Chager guided his Mitsubishi Lancer to fifth place after setting one of the fastest stage time of the day.

The event claimed several casualties though the stages were said to be some of the most spectacular and friendly.

Among the retirements included Farhaaz Khan, McRae Kimathi, son of KMSF chairman, Phineas Kimathi and Rajbir Rai among others.

Ian Duncan’s chances of winning the rally faded in the opening stage of the competition after his Mitsubishi Lancer Evo10 suffered a puncture.

He eventually finished in the sixth place with Amar Slatch returning to the navigator’s seat after a brief sabbatical.

Eric Bengi has reclaimed the lead of the National Formula Two Championship after winning the class at the wheels of his Toyota RunX with 17th place. Earlier leader, Alex Lairrangi has dropped to second place after finishing 21st.

Female power in the show as Natasha Tundo continued with her good form by accomplishing another good result with Chantal Young as the only all-female crew in the competition. The crew was placed 18th overall out of the 22 of the original 35 starters.

PROVISIONAL RESULTS

1. Tapio Laukkanen/Pasi Torma (Subaru Impreza) 99.17mins;

2. Jaspreet Chatthe/ Gurdeep Panesar (Mitsubishi Evo10) 101.26

3. Carl Tundo/Tim Jessop (Ford Proton) 103.50;

4. Onkar Rai/Gareth Dawe (Mitsubishi Evo10) 105.32

5. Baldev Chager/Ravi Soni (Mitsubishi Evo10) 105.40

6. Ian Duncan/Amar Slatch (Mitsubishi Evo10) 105.43
7. Manvir Baryan/Drew Sturrock (Ford Fiesta R5) 106.02

8. Amaanraj Rai/Tauseef Khan (Mitsubishi Evo10) 113.08

9. Tejveer Rai/Zahir Shah (Mitsubishi Evo10) 114.47

10. Jasmeet Chana/Ravinder Chana (Mitsubishi Evo10)11.36