Neel Gohil eyeing 2WD non-turbo junior title

On Sunday, 12 June, Neel Gohil will be looking to conquer Kiambu's Twisty Corners as he works towards clinching the Two Wheel Drive (2WD) Non-Turbo Junior Championship title. 

The Kenya National Autocross Championship fourth leg has been rescheduled for Sunday after the initial race day had to be cancelled after the route was unusable following April’s torrential rains. 

Gurraj, Manveer renew Autocross rivalry in Kiambu

Neel goes up against closest competitor Amman Ganatra among other. With only two seasons of competition, Neel has displayed the abilities of a champion. 

Last season, he lost the 2WD Non-Turbo Junior Championship title to Brandon Ng'ang'a by virtue of skipping a race due to personal commitment.

“I am happy with the car and my driving and I know a championship is on the horizon," said Neel adding that one of his key strategies is consistency and knowing when it is a good time to go for a win. 

Meanwhile, Amaan is also showing a good pace this year having taken the first place in Mombasa where Neel came second. Neel took the Fastest Time of the Day (FTD) which comes with additional championship points for the class. 

"We had a bad miss on the buggy the whole day in Mombasa. But in terms of pace, I won the FTD by 1000th of a second. It was too tight, at sea level, I must admit.

I am glad that we Junior drivers are destroying the times of the bigger guys including the turbo charged machines. Twisty Corners should be another thriller," Neel offered. 

Over 20 drivers have signed up for the race weekend in Kiambu. Sameer Nanji will be hoping to maintain his dogged campaign for the Two Wheel Drive Non-Turbo Car Class against Bhupinder Singh.

In 2WD Turbo class, leader Qahir Rahim will be up against lady driver Nisha Pandya, Brandon Ng'ang'a, Azaad Manji and Deepal Shah.

Bambino class leader Karamveer Singh Rooprai will be fighting to retain his position at the summit.  Bambino girl rider Kiana Rajput will be the notable absentee due to personal commitment.

The father and son team of Eric Bengi and his son Eann Bengi are also expected to return to the Four Wheel Drive Turbo and Pee Wee classes respectively. Both are leading their Championship classes.

 Standings 

2WD NON TURBO BUGGY

1 Gurraj Singh 83

2 Manveer Ghale 57

3 Rahul Patel 49

4 Ankush Manoj Shah 39

5 Kirit Rajput 14

6 Yusuf Pasta 15

2WD NON TURBO CAR

1 Sameer Nanji 86

2 Bhupinder Sagoo 49

3 Carol Gatimu 31

4 Ahil Khan 19

5 Gatimu Mindo 15

6 Tinashe Gatimu 13

2WD TURBO BUGGY

1 Qahir Rahim 72

2 Brandon Ng'ang'a 51

3 Azaad Manji 49

4 Nisha Pandya 40

5 Deepal Shah 39

6 Shaz Ismail 28

7 Inderjeet Puee 14

8 Zuber Manji 13

9 Deep Patel 0

4WD TURBO

1 Eric Bengi 44

2 George Njoroge 30

3 Hussain Malik 22

4 Aakif Virani 22

5 Hamza Anwar 17

6 Gatimo Mindo 17

7 Mustwafa Murad 15

8 Asad Anwar 15

9 Abhi Puee 15

10 John Ngugi14

11 Steve Gacheru 14

12 Lisa Christoffersen 12

13 Karan Patel 0

OPEN

1 Rajveer Thethy 76

2 Charan Thethy 37

3 Abdul Kadir Tarmal 22 22

4 Hamza Anwar 17

5 Maxine Wahome 15

6 Mustwafa Murad 14

7 Arjun Pattin 14

8 Safina Khan13

9 John Ngugi 12

10 Pauline Sheghu 11

BAMBINO

1 Karamveer Singh Rooprai 86

2 Saad Shamil Farouq 32

3 Kiana Rajput 17

4 Eann Bengi 17

JUNIOR 2WD NON TURBO

1 Neel Gohil 80

2 Amaan Ganatra 57

3 Yuvraj Rajput 34

4 Salim Mansoor 29

5 Amraj Malle DNE 15

6 Tinashe Gatimu 15

PEEWEE

1. Eann Bengi 40