BY SAMSON ATEKA
Defending two-wheel drive champion Leonard Varese savoured his 13th career victory in the KCB Voi Rally, the Mombasa Motor Club round of the Kenya National Rally Championship.
Sportpesa-sponsored Varese had his campaign effectively sewn up when his race rivals Eric Bengi and Alex Lairang fell by the wayside.
Bengi who led the series prior to Voi retired on CS3 with engine failure.
Bengi who was navigated by Tony Gikuhi in a Toyota RunX said: “The plan moving forward is to remain consistent as the season is only midway! On this rally, we have kept pace with caution. But the approach for the rest of the season is the same old plan. Never say die and rack-up good results.”
Varese was all smiles at Twiga super special which also hosted the prize giving: “I’m happy to have won the MMC rally 2WD Class for the first in my career. This was my 13th career win and takes us to the top of 2WD standings. This year defending the title has proved extremely difficult and against a very competitive field. We are currently out-powered in our little 1600 cc engine. However, this will rank among one of the sweetest wins ever I will never forget. All credit to my sponsors Sportpesa my team of Munir Khan’s dad and James Maregwa my navigator Kigo Kareithi for calling the notes as well as Dennis Mwenda for providing me with new ratios for my gear box….see you all in Eldoret next month!!”
Alex Lairang’ of Team Delights was doing so well and enjoyed each and every stage that he tackled in his ex-Dennis Mwenda Toyota Sprinter GT until the car developed electrical issues just a kilometre into CS5 which forced him out.
“We plan to approach the rest of the events with the same pace aiming for podium finishes,” Lairang’I said.
Jassi Chatthe who is headed for this weekend’s ARC Oryx Energies Rally of Tanzania consolidated his KNRC lead with his his second win of the season after Safari. Second overall was defending Champion Baldev Chager followed by Ian Duncan. Dennis Mwenda won KNRC Division 2.
Courtesy of the-star.co.ke