Varese Set For Bow, Onkar Rai Out To Shift Gears In Kajiado Rally

28th February 2019 - by Erick Ochieng

SportPesa Rally Team driver to feature for first time this season in Formula 2, KNRC leader out to stretch leader

Eric Bengi during the test drive in Stoni Athi.PHOTO/SPN

SUMMARY

Former Two Wheel Drive champion, Eric Bengi will be first off the ramp in the second leg of the 2019 KCB Kenya National Rally Championship (KNRC) in Kajiado County this weekend
Bengi, who was forced to exit Nakuru contest on mechanical ground, will be navigated by his co-driver Tuta Mionki who is also the 2018 Motorsport Personality of the Year winner in a Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X
The duo will be followed by Tundo in a Mitsubishi Evolution X, Chager and the reigning continental champion Manvir Baryan who recently won the African Rally Championship season-opening leg in Bandama, Ivory Coast, in that order
The cars will then be flagged off from the Kajiado KCB Branch on Sunday. The Kajiado contest has attracted more than 25 drivers who will line up for the challenge that will end at the expansive Lisa Ranch in Konza

NAIROBI, Kenya- Former Two Wheel Drive champion, Eric Bengi will be first off the ramp in the second leg of the 2019 KCB Kenya National Rally Championship (KNRC) in Kajiado County this weekend.

He is set to battle Onkar Rai who delivered unprecedented victory in the season opening leg in Nakuru early this month.

Rai currently leads the KNRC log with 25 points. He is followed by defending champion Carl "Flash" Tundo who has 21 and former champion Baldev Chager who is third with 18.

Bengi, who was forced to exit Nakuru contest on mechanical ground, will be navigated by his co-driver Tuta Mionki who is also the 2018 Motorsport Personality of the Year winner in a Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X.

"We have done the test run which was good but we have a few loose ends to deal with before the event,” Bengi underlined.

“I'm glad we're now getting the hang of the car and feeling excited and optimistic in the run up to the challenge.

“Since we will compete in the elite Premier Class this year, we shall prepare meticulously well and drive sensibly fast," he underscored.

By zooming off first, Bengi and his lady navigator will be expected to sweep the obstacles off the road for the rest of the party.

" We are still learning and adjusting to the new car and hopefully after a few events we shall be done with teething problems," Mionki highlighted.

The duo will be followed by Tundo in a Mitsubishi Evolution X, Chager and the reigning continental champion Manvir Baryan who recently won the African Rally Championship season-opening leg in Bandama, Ivory Coast, in that order.

Baryan is making a comeback in the local circuit after skipping the Nakuru edition. Tejveer Rai, co-driven by Zahir Shah in a Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X R4 machine, lines up fifth.

Scrutineering and reconnaissance will take place on Saturday at the Kenya Motors Sport Club in Nairobi's South C.

The cars will then be flagged off from the Kajiado KCB Branch on Sunday. The Kajiado contest has attracted more than 25 drivers who will line up for the challenge that will end at the expansive Lisa Ranch in Konza.