Tundo replaces Ghose as Minti representative at ARC

Former national champions Carl Tundo and Tim Jessop will drive a VW Polo R5 sponsored by UK-based Minti Motorsport in the Africa Rally Championship (ARC) Equator Rally this weekend. An elated Tundo thanked Minti who had previously indicated they would field Joey Ghose whose travel plans have been disrupted by the new Covid-19 restriction.

“With the prevailing global Covid-19 pandemic, Minti Motorsport, a team made up of members from across the world, are finding it very difficult to assemble in Kenya for the forthcoming ARC and World Rally Championship (WRC) Safari rallies, restrictions both from home countries like Oman and UK, to name a few, and the uncertainty is causing havoc logistically,” said the team in a press statement.

“Minti Motorsport have, however, gone local again to continue to support our sport during these challenging times and we are proud to announce that Carl ‘Flash’ Tundo will be driving our VW Polo R5 for the Equator ARC Rally and WRC Safari Rally. We would like to thank Kenya Motorsport Fédération (KMSF) for their support in assisting our team. The crew change remains pending FIA approval," it continued.

Speaking in Kenya, Tundo said he was delighted to ride the “beauty” of a car in the Equator Rally.  

“It is a big task. We got four days until the beginning of the big event. It’s a left-hand drive [the VW] it is a new machine, I have no idea how it handles, how it runs but I have seen it perform and I just hope it’s will be good. It will be such good fun I think. No expectations, but I am hoping I can do well. You know I have said a lot about these cars and how I would love to be in one so now the prove will be in the pudding whether I can drive the thing.’

In addition to Tundo, Minti Motorsport will also, field another car in Kenya this season, the historic Nissan 240RS which will be driven by Ian Duncan in the Safari, selected national championship events and the East African Classic Safari later this year.