Neel savours maiden autocross title in season-ending double header

Neel Gohil finally laid his hands on the coveted Junior Two Wheel Drive Non Turbo title as the KRT/RSC double- header culminated the Kenya National Autocross Championship at the WRC Kasarani SSS racetrack.

In the busy season, Neel proved to be one of the fastest overall drivers as he went on to beat Amman Ganatra to the covered 2022 Junior 2WD NT championship.

Driving a single seater Salomon-sponsored buggy, Neel, son of retired rally driver Sushil Gohil, racked up the championship title which had eluded him last year when he came second behind Brandon Ng'ang'a.

Twelve year-old Karamveer Singh Rooprai also won his first career championship in the Bambino Class, on his second full year of competition.

Having already taken some impressive scalps, Karamveer powered his Magi Bug to victory in an action-packed weekend which featured Sunday's belated round 6 which was organized by Rallye Sports Club and the KRT round 10 on Saturday.

Qahir Rahimi also sealed his maiden championship in the Two Wheel Drive Turbo Class following fierce competition from Azaad Manji in the ten leg season.

Other champions for the 2022 season were Eric Bengi (Four Wheel Drive Turbo), Rajveer Thethy (Open Class), Gurraj Singh (Two Wheel Drive Non Turbo Buggy) and Sameer Nanji (Two Wheel Drive Non Turbo Car).

"It is a great feeling to be the national champion. It has been a great season and I would like to thank my team especially Nicholas Kibisu and Daniel Mwangi - the team engineers who made kept the buggy in brilliant condition ready for every single race this year

I cannot thank my sponsors Salomon and Going Outdoor enough for financially making this possible for me and the many many well wishers and mentors who have guided me this season," offered an elated Neel after his victory.

He revealed that he is not yet decided on his race plans for 2023 but hinted he has intentions of trying out the newly introduced RX competition and other sports disciplines besides autocross in order expand his career in motorsports.

On his part, Singh was equally excited for the win and termed it a good year and a well-driven season.

"I overcame the competition by being consistent. I am glad that the buggy did not have any issues and at the end of the day the fastest person wins," he continued.

Qahir who is a student of Shaz Email saus being the 2022 buggy champion is a great feeling, while admitting it has yet to sink in.

"It has been a tough fight especially with gearbox gremlins which we only managed to sort out this weekend. It was good to see Brandon and Deepal come back after some issues they had on Saturday. The end goal this weekend was just to fight for the championship and we achieved that," Qahir offered.

Round 6 of the Open Class on Sunday featured an interesting father and daughter battle where Maxine Wahome took on her dad Jimmy Wahome in the heat runs.

Jimmy was returning to action after a 20 year break and managed to win the Open class on Sunday.