Veteran Duncan wins in Kajiado Rally

Izhar Mirza, navigated by Kashif Sheikh splashes past a wet section on May 3, 2015 in a Mitsubishi EVO10 during the Kajiado Rally. Mirza finished fifth. The rally was won by Ian Duncan in an EVO10. ANWAR SIDI | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • The Liquid Telecoms-sponsored Mitsubishi Lancer EVO10 driver exchanged the lead on several occasions during the course of the competition  with both Raaji Bharij and Rajbir Rai before going on to win his first event of the 2015 season.
  • ‘’I am happy the rally has come to an end in the most unlikely fashion after all those sleepless nights. It was in our interest to make the rally as friendly as possible though there are certain obstacles one cannot overcome. Despite the onslaught from the sky, we never gave up,’’ said Jim Kahumbura, the Clerk of the Course of the Kenya Motor Sports Club-organized rally.
  • Second-place was secured by Rai in the only Ford Fiesta, while Jaspreet Chatthe, in his familiar Mitsubishi Lancer EVE10, was placed in the third place, which keeps him at the top of the overall standings of the series.

The curtains finally came down on the KCB Kajiado Rally following Ian Duncan’s impressive victory in the third round of the 2015 Kenya National Rally Championship Sunday.

The Liquid Telecoms-sponsored Mitsubishi Lancer EVO10 driver exchanged the lead on several occasions during the course of the competition  with both Raaji Bharij and Rajbir Rai before going on to win his first event of the 2015 season.

It was also his second victory since winning the Guru Nanak Rally last year though in a Nissan Patrol at that time.

“I am very happy everything went well with the stages. my car and my new navigator Kavit who was good. It was great team effort and big thanks to my sponsors, Liquid Telecoms for the big support,’’ said Duncan.

On a day when many expected rains to come down heavily, it was not to be as drivers sailed smoothly through to the end without incidents reminiscent of the difficult scenes noticed two days prior to the start of the rally.

SLEEPLESS NIGHTS

‘’I am happy the rally has come to an end in the most unlikely fashion after all those sleepless nights. It was in our interest to make the rally as friendly as possible though there are certain obstacles one cannot overcome. Despite the onslaught from the sky, we never gave up,’’ said Jim Kahumbura, the Clerk of the Course of the Kenya Motor Sports Club-organized rally.

Several drivers, who did not want to be named for obvious reason, pointed fingers at the senior management of the sport for failing to come out in the public and support the efforts of the club against rumours of continued cancellations that almost brought down the latest event down.

They also praised the event organizers for not surrendering by making sure all went well to the end.

Second-place was secured by Rai in the only Ford Fiesta, while Jaspreet Chatthe, in his familiar Mitsubishi Lancer EVE10, was placed in the third place, which keeps him at the top of the overall standings of the series.

Uganda’s Jas Mangat was the best-placed foreign driver in the fourth place while Denis Mwenda scored his best-ever result by taking sixth overall in the Silverspread-sponsored Mitsubishi Lancer.

“I feel I have regained my lost confidence after the Kisumu incident. I have made a big step forward and hope to now handle the car even better. I am happy with the second place,” said Rai.

Among those who skipped the event were Tapio Luakkanen, the winner of the opening round in Kisumu, former Safari Rally winners and national champions, Carl Tundo and Baldev Chager.