WRC slot a dream come true for Bengi

Kenya National Rally Championship (KNRC) Premier Class driver Eric Bengi believes local drivers who get a chance to race at next month's World Rally Championship (WRC) Safari Rally have their work cut out against the WRC cars but will savour an experience of a lifetime as most of them will be making their debut at the world event.

Bengi, who vividly remembers going out to cheer on the world rally teams before the safari was removed from the global series in 2002, is elated to be among the drivers when the Safari returns to the WRC 19 years on.

"I am very excited. it's going to be our first WRC in 19 years as a country. Most of us were very young and didn't know much about motorsport when the last WRC was held in Kenya. It's a good thing that it has come because a majority of the current drivers have never competed in the WRC Safari Rally. Personally, I am really looking forward to it and it's a dream come true," Bengi says. 

 "I remember with nostalgia when the Peugeot 206 was competing in the Safari in 2002.I mean, it’s quite exciting and unbelievable that today we are the people doing this amazing event alongside WRC drivers. WRC cars will whip us hands down, yes. The cars are out of this world. But it will be exciting to see how the R5's fare against the WRC teams," Bengi adds.

Carl "Flash" Tundo and Rai siblings Onkar and Tejveer will drive VW Polo R5 cars which are a step below the WRC supercar. 

The former Group N and Division One champion also believes the event will require a certain amount of calmness which the WRC teams possess as they are professionals.

"Here in Kenya, racing is like a pastime, meaning we have our work commitments to deal with. A WRC driver lives and eats rallying, so it will be interesting how they tackle Safari. All the three world rally teams (Toyota Gazoo, Hyundai Motorsport and M-Sport Ford) are yet to race in Africa so it will be a whole new experience for all and sundry," he offers.

Bengi's Evolution X is undergoing a strip rebuild at Baldev Chager's BHP Performance workshop in Spring Valley Nairobi. He is also excited that his car is homologated and passed the test as required by the World Governing Body, FIA.

 "We are very excited that WRC is back. There will be a lot of knowledge transfer from these drivers and we need to learn from them. How they drive, how they prepare their teams, how organized they are and so on. All the same, we are ready and in a months’ time, the car will be ready. I am lucky to have Chager preparing it as I also benefit from his advice."

"KCB supports the organisation of the event and without sufficient finances, you cannot do the event. It's quite encouraging how they have supported the event over the years. Menengai have supported our team and I'm glad we are able to compete at the highest level courtesy of their support." Bengi concludes.