BY SAMSON ATEKA
Organisers finalise the course for 62nd KCB Rally
The route course for the 62nd KCB Safari Rally has been finalised.
The seventh round of the FIA African Rally Championship (ARC) will extensively traverse the Mount Kenya region running on the weekend of September 12-14.
According to clerk of the course, Bimal Patel the rally will be flagged off at its traditional ramp spot at Kenyatta International Conference Centre (KICC) on September 12 followed by a short super special stage at Migaa estate, another at Lengetia near Naro Moru and a short spectator stage at Batian View in Nanyuki town.
There will be a remote refuel zone in Naro Moru after Lengetia stage and service at Batian after which cars will proceed to Sportsman’s Arms in Nanyuki for an overnight parc ferme.
The rally restarts on Saturday September 13 then tackles private farm stages around Turaco, Loldaiga, Batian View and Lengetia.
Sunday (September 14) will see cars tackle Loldaiga, Kisima stage, Kisima Wheat and Batian View after which they will proceed to the finish and prize giving.
Prize giving and finish will be at Batian View. Bimal said no spectators will be allowed at any of the stages apart from Batian.
“No one will be allowed anywhere near the service park or any of the ‘no go zones’ without a valid pass,” Bimal said.
Scrutineering will be at Galleria Mall.
This year’s Safari welcomes back the 2012 Africa Rally Championship winner Essa Mohammed from Zambia.
Ivory Coast champion and current ARC leader Gary Chaynes will be navigated by Romain Comas de Miranda in a Mitsubishi EvoX.
The all Rwandese crew of Giancarlo Davite and Sylvia Vindevogel is also expected.
Top Kenyans expected are Alastair Cavenagh, Carl Tundo, Kenya champion Baldev Chager and Rajbir Rai among others. Kenya’s current leader Jassi Chatthe is contesting the full ARC series.
Apart from title sponsors Kenya Commercial Bank, other sponsors include ALS who are the helicopter providers, Galleria- who are providing scrutineering venue at the Yana Distribution Centre with Pit and Lift, Toyota Kenya who are providing a Route Opening car, Agro Irrigation 250 Kit Bags, I-Way Africa internet connectivity, ICEA Lion who are the official insurance partners, Equator Glaciers and Sportsman Arms Hotel respectively.
Equator Glaciers will supply 8,400 bottles of drinking water during the rally.
Courtesy of the-star.co.ke