Amwari seeded first in Thika Rally as action opens up to spectators

In a Mitsubishi Evo 10, Keihin Maritime team of Issa Amwari and his navigator Job Njiru will be first off the ramp as the penultimate Kenya National Rally Championship (KNRC) Thika Rally programmed to start and finish at Mount Kenya University on Sunday 21 November gets underway. 

The duo headline the event that has seen 20 drivers included in the seeded entry list ahead of the scrutineering, sealing and marking of components set to take place at the Kasarani on Saturday from 0900hrs to-1500hrs. 

Second on the seeded list is Jasmeet Chana and navigator Ravi Chana in their Mitsubishi Evo 10 with the third car on the race set to be a similar make of Eric Bengi and who will be navigated by Peter Mutuma. 

Karan Patel and co-driver Tauseef Khan in a Ford Fiesta as well as Africa Rally Championship (ARC) winner Carl Tundo and and his long serving navigator Tim Jessop drive off in fourth and fifth place respectively with the latter driving Mitsubishi Evo 10 as well. 

Defending champion, Kabras Sugar's Baldev Charger in Volkswagen Polo, will be looking to bounce back from his tenth-place finish in Nanyuki to bag maximum points in Thika. 

The final scrutineering will take place at the Mt. Kenya University on Sunday morning immediately after final Parc Ferme. The event will feature a competitive mileage of 142.18km which accounts to 69% of the mileage percentage and a liaison distance of 60.5km for a total distance of 203km.

Meanwhile, following the lifting of the social gathering ban by the Ministry of Health, organizers are offering spectators camping opportunities at Kamuthi's Buffalo Hill stage.

The 31.13km stage will be the center of attraction as it will be run twice as CS1 and SS5.

According to the organisers Rallye Sports Club (RSC) anyone willing to catch action at the Buffalo stage should spend the night there where tenting and catering services will be available at a fee.

According to Buffalo Hill Head of Communications Perry Wahu, double-bed tents will be on offer at Ksh. 2500.

"Fans can come for a sleepover at Buffalo Hill where food and drink will be provided also at a fee," said Wahu.

Clerk of the Course, Hellen Shiri nevertheless noted that COVID-19 guidelines will apply for all and sundry attending the event adding that spectators will only be allowed access to the Buffalo stage a day prior to the raceday.

"The essence is to avoid spectator traffic on Sunday given the fact that the stage will be live from 8:18am. Otherwise, those coming on Sunday can view action form the Pavilion. 

"Rally-sport events make up a substantial part of the sports tourism market in the country. Some of Kenya's biggest sporting events like WRC Safari, provide great opportunities for sports tourism. In terms of tourism development, KNRC events like Thika Rally can be catalysts of economic opportunities, when there is proper use of destination branding and infrastructure development," Shiri said while encouraging fans to attend the event. 

While team managers and mechanics will be presenting rally cars for scrutineering , drivers and navigators will be out on reconnaissance to familiarize with the route course.

Team Goa gear up for Thika Rally

Part of the highlight for the event is the designated 3.2km spectator stage at the MKU Graduation Pavilion where fans will be allocated parking outside the venue and walk into the designated viewing area. The stage will be repeated twice as SS2 and SS6.

The repeat run of 28.48km Ndula stage will be the designated power stage where the top three drivers will earn bonus points towards the championship. 

The 2021 KNRC has been to Nakuru, Naivasha for both the WRC Safari Rally and ARC Equator Rally, Nanyuki, Ramisi for the Mombasa round and Machakos for the KMSC event.

DRAFT ITINERARY (1ST CAR) - SUNDAY 21ST NOVEMBER

08:00: Start MKU Pavilion 08:18: SS1-Bufallo 1 (31.13km)09:16: SS2-Ananas 1 (21.92km)09:54: SS3-Pavillion 1 (3.52km)10:02: HOLDING IN-MKU10.17: Service A InSERVICE A-MKU (30mins)10:47: Service A Out-REFUEL11:05: SS4-Ndula 1 (25.48km)11:48: SS5 -Bufalo 2 (31.13Km)12:36: SS6 Pavilion 2 (3.52km)12.44: SERVICE B INSERVICE B-MKU (30mins)13:14-Service B out/HOLDING IN13.29: HOLDING OUT 13.42: Ndula 2 -Power Stage (25.48km)SERVICE D -MKU (10mins)14.27: Service out /Parc Ferme In