Karangatha eyes victory in Gilgil as Autocross season enters homestretch

With three rounds to spare and a solitary point separating the top two in Two Wheel Drive (2WD) Non-Turbo car class, leader Sam Karangatha believes there is so much to play for in his tussle for the coveted title.

Karangatha will renew his rivalry with Daewoo Cielo’s Rajveer Thethy in the eighth round of the KCB Kenya National Autocross Championship which gets underway in Gilgil on Saturday 30 October 2021.

Karangatha has been fine-tuning his car at their Karen backyard and will be looking for a repeat of his victory in Nanyuki earlier in the month. Being one of the few motorsport engineers in the country at the present, Karangatha has had a thorough going-over of his Subaru well in time for the weekend race meeting.

“It is important for us to maintain good results going into each round in order to remain within sight of the title. It is going to be a hard push this weekend to get maximum points. At the same time, we have to be careful because first, the aim is to finish and of course get as many points as possible,” said Karangatha.

Karangatha reckons that it will be important to continue perfecting his driving lines on the new track which has never been used for autocross events. “We should be able to give it our best shot because our car is suited to the rigours of different terrains. There is pressure though, given that you have to maintain a good speed to stay ahead."

Two Wheel Drive Non-Turbo Buggy Class leader and champion Zameer Verjee will also renew his rivalry with the likes of Gurraj Singh, Ankush Manoj Shah, Rahul Patel and Qahir Rahim.

Nanyuki winner Sahib Omar returns to the 4WD Turbo class up against the likes of Eric Bengi and Lovejyot Singh. Sahib set the fastest time of the day in Nanyuki and will be looking to repeat his stellar performance in Gilgil.

Junior categories are also sure to treat spectators to some exhilarating displays of circuit racing. Round 6 winner Karamveer Singh Rooprai will be at it against Champion Yuvraj Rajput. Both drivers will pilot Magi-Bug 500cc buggies in the Bambino Class.

Kiana Rajput will be up against newcomer Eaan Bengi in Pee Wee Class while leader Brandon Nganga hopes to maintain his dogged campaign in search of the Junior 2WD Non-Turbo. Nganga hopes to vanquish round 7 winner Neel Gohil and lady driver Hanifa Yakub.