Kenyan Team In Search For Glory At Gomes Zambia International Rally

8th June 2019

Manvir Baryan, Baldev Chager and Carl “Flash” Tundo lead a star-studded six man for the competition which was flagged off on Friday

Carl 'Flash' Tundo in his Mitsubishi EVO X in a past rally. He is gearing to attempt a record-setting sixth Safari Rally crown in July. PHOTO/Courtesy
Carl 'Flash' Tundo in his Mitsubishi EVO X in a past rally. He is gearing to attempt a record-setting sixth Safari Rally crown in July. PHOTO/Courtesy
SUMMARY
  • After ceremonial start, cars went into overnight parc ferme in Ndola, incidentally is the third largest city in Zambia, as well as the industrial and commercial center of the Copperbelt
  • Action proper was scheduled to rev off on Saturday through to Sunday
  • Former Two Wheel Drive Champion Eric Bengi and the Kabras Sugar Rai siblings, Onkar and Tejveer are also expected to shine for the Kenyan side

NAIROBI, Kenya- Manvir Baryan, Baldev Chager and Carl “Flash” Tundo lead a star-studded six man Kenyan team for the Gomes Zambia International Rally which was flagged off on Friday.

After ceremonial start, cars went into overnight parc ferme in Ndola, incidentally is the third largest city in Zambia, as well as the industrial and commercial center of the Copperbelt.

Local crews had a feel of the route in the two day reconnaissance on Wednesday and Thursday well in time for the ceremonial start.

READ ALSO: Tundo Off To Zambia To Flex For Record Sixth Safari Rally Title Attempt

Action proper was scheduled to rev off on Saturday through to Sunday.

Baryan, who is the  current ARC log leader and two times reigning continental Champion, will alongside five times Safari Rally Champion "Flash" Tundo and multiple Kenya Rally Champion "Boldy" Chager carry the country’s hopes to the event which counts towards the third leg of the FIA African Rally Championship (ARC). 

Former Two Wheel Drive Champion Eric Bengi and the Kabras Sugar Rai siblings, Onkar and Tejveer are also expected to shine for the Kenyan side.

Baryan already has two Zambia Rally victories (2017 /18) under his belt. He returns to the Zambia Motor Sports Association organized rally in a Skoda Fabia R5 rally car, better known in Zambia as the “rat”. 

The rat has over the past two seasons swept the ground with all its race adversaries winning all ARC rallies, apart from Safari.

READ ALSO: Special Feature: Ambitious Sharks Defender Teka Sets Sights On Everton's Walcott

The Skoda Fabia R5 model has been racing in the WRC 2 class and is based on the road version of the Skoda.

Onkar, the 2011 KNRC Division Two Champion, is making his debut in Zambia also in a Skoda Fabia R5 which won the season-opening Nakuru Rally 2019. 

Zambia’s Leoroy Gomes has also invested in a Ford Fiesta R5 in a bid to stopped Manvir’s impending hat trick.

Tundo said: " It will be my first time in Zambia rallying so I’m really looking forward to the experience. I'm very thankful to Menengai Oil for giving me the opportunity. I am going to enjoy Zambia as there is no pressure for any championship, apart from the Kenya pride factor."

READ ALSO: Who Will Blink First: Ronaldo, Van Dijk Face Off In Nations League Final

Bengi remarked: “We are very excited after a two day reconnaissance which kick started our campaign in Ndola on Wednesday. Our main aim really is to experience, learn and improve from where we are. “We hope to bring some good tidings to our sponsors, fans and supporters.”

Chager added: "We are not in any race for the ARC championship but just an event we decided to do as a team as across the border experience. 

“Obviously we have no experience on Zambia’s routes and stages so it will be a nice change and challenge altogether. So the approach is to take it as it comes and main thing is to have fun and enjoy the experience.”

Zambia International Rally is being preceded by the season opening Rallye Bamdama of Ivory Coast and York Rally of South Africa. Safari Rally Kenya slated July is the fourth round of the ARC calendar.

READ ALSO: Veteran Football Commentator Mohamed Njuguna Passes on