Mini Classic action gets underway in Nakuru

This year’s East Africa Mini Classic rally got underway on Friday 9 December at Nakuru after scrutineering, tracking and System Fitting on Thursday 8 at Nakuru's Sarova Woodlands Hotel.

Multiple national rally champion Baldev Chager was first off the ramp after he was seeded first, ahead of 31 other local and international drivers. In a Porsche 911, Charger was followed by Carl ‘Flash’ Tundo, navigated by Tim Jessop in a Triumph TR7.

Seeded third was multiple Kenyan navigator champion Pier Daykin in a Datsun 280Z, navigated by Tariq Malik. Next off the ramp was Raaji Bharij, who won this year’s edition of the MMC Bamba Rally, in a Ford Escort MK1. The first foreigner off the ramp was Geoff Bell who was seeded sixth.

The all-women's crew of Carol Gatimu and Tuta Mionki are making their debut in the classic, representing Minti Motorsports.

“It is exiting to sit alongside Caroline. We have known each other for years but this is the first time an opportunity to sit together has presented itself. This is my first Classic Rally. I have always wanted to take part in this legendary event and I am grateful for this opportunity,” Mionki, who is the 2018 Kenya Motorsport Personality of the Year remarked before the rally.

Gatimu, who participated in last weekend's RSC Autocross event at Kasarani thanked Minti Motorsports for the opportunity to explore a completely different type of motoring which is associated with endurance and nostalgia.

“I am glad to experience a completely new feeling of the rally sport in a classic set up. We ran a successful test run which was all good in terms of the car performance, suspension and all facets of the car's operation. The car is in brilliant shape and happy with what the mechanics have done so far, we are good to go,” said Gatimu.

Drivers will traverse over 1000km in the great Rift Valley with the route consisting of sections in Nakuru, Nandi and Uasin Gishu.

Rally's course clerk Onkar Kalsi said the Eldoret route will be interesting and challenging for all the drivers, with the classic route having not been used since the launch of the East African Classic Rally in 2003.

“We have not been to Eldoret since 2003. There are some classic safari stages that haven't been used around that area since the 90s and the 80s, so I think it's going be very challenging; not necessarily a fast event but a very challenging one,” Kalsi said.

He as well hinted that the weather would be critical in how the drivers perform.

“I do know that Eldoret weather plays a key role in the Safari and I expect this year to be no different. If it rains the challenge will be tenfold."