Victory for Vohra as KNRC season gets underway in Eldoret

Kenya National Rally Championship (KNRC) action got underway this weekend with the Eldoret Rally serving as the opening round.

After tough battles between man and machine that saw only six crews drive to the ‘finish line’, it was Samman Vohra and Alfie Khan who carried the day, winning the Western Kenya Motor Sports Club-organised event.

Defense key for Owuor as Morans capstone AfroBasket preps

Jasmeet Chana and Ravi Chana, the reigning champions kicked off the new season with second overall position, driving a Mitsubishi Lancer EvoX.

Ugandan champions, Yassin Nasser and his navigator, Joseph Kamya came home third, driving a Ford Fiesta, to complete the podium places.

“We are more than happy to have won our second national event. The first one was the Kajiado Rally last year. It is a fantastic feeling, we are over the moon,” Vohra said.

Samman, who previously competed in local Rally Raid and Autocross events, is hoping to seal a maiden career KNRC title in 2024. Having made a late foray into the local series last season, Samman displayed grit and pace winning in Kajiado in blistering fashion.

“The objective for the year is to just keep on improving our pace rally by rally. The car has gone through a major strip down and rebuild and we are chuffed to emerge the winners in the season opener. We are also doing the Safari and we hope the car performs,” he offered.

Multiple Kenyan champion and former winner of the Safari Rally, Ian Duncan, navigated by Jaspal Matharu was placed fourth overall in a Nissan Pickup.

Ghalib Hajee who was navigated by Riyaz Ismail in a Mitsubishi Lancer EvoX finished more than 15 minutes behind the day’s winner to settle for fifth place.

The Chairman of the East African Safari Classic Rally, Joey Ghose also competed in the opening round, his Classic Porsche 911 finishing sixth.

Focus now turns to the 2024 World Rally Championship, which will be the next round of the national championship, set for 25 to 31 in Nairobi and Naivasha area.

Kenya Taekwondo Federation appeals for Ogallo's Olympic wild-card spot

Provisional results

1.Samman Vohra/Alfir Khan (Škoda Fabia) 77mins:37secs, 

2. Jasmeet Chana/Ravi Chana (Mitsubishi Lancer EvoX)79:10, 

3. Yassin Nasser/Joseph Kamya (Ford Fiesta) 80:30, 

4. Ian Duncan/Jaspal Matharu (Nissan Patrol P/u) 82:16, 

5. Ghalib Hajee/Riyaz Ismail (Mitsubishi Lancer EvoX) 92:42, 

6. Joey Ghose/Kashif Sheikh (Porsche 911) 96:43, 

7. Jose Sardinia/Assad Mughal (Mitsubishi Pajero), 

8.Khalid Omar/Salim Mohamed (Subaru Impreza).