Five time Kenya Safari Rally champion Carl “Flash” Tundo was in his imperious form to take a 03.6 second lead in the opening day of World Rally Championships (WRC) Candidate Safari Rally today.
After the event was flagged by President Uhuru Kenyatta, the defending champion Tundo took over the leadership over Zambian Leroy Gomes after the opening Super Special at Kasarani on Friday.
Driving a Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution 10-R4 and navigated by Tim Jessop clocked 03.56.0 minutes before as he chases a record 6 wins on the Safari, treated spectators to some exhilarating displays on the day’s 4.8km stage.
Reigning African Rally Champion Manvir Baryan and his British partner Drew Sturrock had to contend with playing second fiddle to Tundo, but as experts say, it’s still early days.
Baryan who is also the ARC leader settled for fifth incidentally 04.3secomds behind Tundo.
Tundo’s teammate Onkar Rai was third fastest, losing out to Gomes by just 1 millisecond, meaning only 4.3 seconds separates the leading four crews heading into Saturday.
The 2013 African Rally Champion Jassy Singh made a positive start to his third Safari with fourth place on day one. The son of legendary Muna Singh has yet to finish the grueling Safari in two attempts.
The Zambian speed merchant completed the super special in a time of 04.00.1 minutes, 3 milliseconds faster than Manvir to sit fifth overall.
This year’s Safari has attracted fans from as far afield as Ndola, Lusaka, Dar es Salaam and Kampala.
Organizers ran a twin track ostensibly to offer spectators scintillating neck and neck action. A total of 48 drivers started the event which is also counts towards the FIA African rally Championship (ARC).
President Unuru Kenyatta flagged off the first 10 cars and was among the thousands of spectators who graced the super special.
Day 1 (Leg1A) featured only one stage after the 13km Gatamaiyo Forest stage was cancelled due to adverse weather conditions.
Following the cancellation of SS2 Gatamaiyo, rally traffic proceeded to overnight parc ferme at Naivasha’s Sopa Lodge.
But prior to parc ferme, there was regroup and service to help competitors repair the cars ahead of day two.
Cars restart Day Two (Leg 1B) at Sopa this morning (7am) and will repeat three stages around Elementaita (21.20km), Sleeping Warrior (27.08km) and Soysambu (22.00km) which will also be the designated spectator stage.
Safari Rally Leg 1A –Top 26 Results
- Carl Tundo /Tim Jessop – (Ken- Evo X ) 03.56.0minutes
- Leroy Gomes /Gomes Urshlla – (Zam- Ford Fiesta R5) 03.59.6
- Onkar Rai/ Dawe Gareth – (Ken -Scoda Fabia R5) 03.59.7
- Jassy Singh/Sahid Khan –(Subaru Impreza) 04.00.1
- Manvir Bayan /Drew Sturrock – (Ken-UK-Skoda Fabia R5) 04.00.3
- Tejveer Rai/Gavin Laurence– (Ken- Evo X) 04.01.9
- Ian Duncan /Anthony Nielsen –(Ken -Evo X) 04.03.0
- Giancarlo Davite/ Sylvia Vindevogel- (Bur Bel/Bur Evo X R4) 04.09.0
- Ronald Ssebaguzi/Leon Ssenyange (-Ug- Evo X) 04.09.4
- Baldev Chager / Ravi Soni – (Ken – Evo X-R4) 04.09.8
- Eric Bengi- Ken- Tuta Mionki – (Ken – Evo X) 04.12.1
- Izhar Mirza/Kavit Dave – ( Ken Mitsubishi Evo 10) 04.12.9
- Jasmeet Chana – Ken Ravi Chana – (Ken Evo X) 04.13.3
- Yassin Nasser Ali Katumba – (UG Subaru Impreza) 04.13.5
- Ammar Haq- Ken Victor Okundi- (Ken -Evo X) 04.15.7
- Duncan Mubiru/Musa Nsubuga – (UG Evo X) 04.17.8
- Paras Pandya/Falgun Bhojak – (Ken Evo X) 04.20.8
- Karan Patel /James Mwangi – (Ken- Evo X) 04.21.4
- Mahesh Halai/ Ketan Halai – (Ken- Subaru Impreza) 04.26.3
- Kepher Walubi/ Anthony Mugambwa (UG- Evo X) 04.27.6
- Christakis Fitidis/Veer Dadar – (UG/TZ- Evo X) 04.31.7
- Hussein Malik/Linet Ayuko –(Ken EvoX) 04.39.6
- Issa Amwari/ Job Njiru –(Ken -Evo X-R4) 04.44.9
- Minesh Rathod/Shameer Yusuf- (Ken -Evo X) 04.50.2
- Aakif Virani /Azhar Bhatti –(Ken- Subaru Impreza) 04.52.3
- Moez Malik – Ken- Steven Njenga – Ken- Subaru Impreza) 05.19.6