The upcoming Guru Nanak Rally in the Kenya National Rally Championship for 2023 is set to feature newly-crowned champion Jasmeet Chana as the highlight of the penultimate round.
Jasmeet Chana, the reigning champion, will be driving his championship-winning Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X, alongside his elder brother, Ravi Chana. Notably, rallying legend Ian Duncan, a twelve-time winner of the Guru Nanak, will be behind the wheel of a classic Nissan 280Z, navigated by Jaspal Matharu.
Sponsored by CFAO Motors (formerly Toyota Kenya), the rally has drawn a field of talented participants, including young entrants like Neel Gohil, making his debut in the secondary clubman category.
Former multiple KNRC navigators’ champion Piers Daykin will be part of the competition in the classic category. Daykin, who previously navigated for Lee Rose, will be driving this time, accompanied by Tariq Malik in a Datsun 280Z.
The rally also sees the return of Samman Vohra, winner of the KNRC7 KMSC Rally, in a Skoda Fabia Rally 2 car. Joining the lineup are emerging talents Rajveer Thethy, Nikhil Sachania, and Jose Sardinha in various high-performance vehicles.
The Guru Nanak Rally, known as one of the oldest events in the calendar, will take place at the Elementeita Service Park, featuring a total of seven-speed tests over four stages.
An essential highlight is the Power Stage, the third run of the Mbweha stage, where the three fastest drivers will be awarded bonus points. Clerk of the Course, Qahir Rahim, revealed that the rally will cover the WRC Safari route, entirely on private land.
Event director Onkar Kalsi has promised an exciting spectacle in the Great Rift Valley. The rally, being the eighth round of the Kenya National Rally Championship, will introduce a Clubman category designed for beginners to experience a genuine rally setup and polish their skills.
The Clubman rally will follow the FIA International Sporting Code, encompassing the KMSF National Sporting Regulations and the National Rally Sports Regulations, maintaining compliance with FIA regulations and Clubman Regulations.
The Clubman rally will cover a competitive distance of 69.48 km, with an additional transport road section of 16.16 km, totalling 85.64 km. The main rally class will feature a competitive distance of 160.11 km, alongside a liaison distance of 32.8 km.
Navigator Wayne Fernandes, partnering with Rajveer Thethy, expressed their readiness for the rally, reminiscing about their previous experiences in Guru Nanak. Fernandes shared his anticipation for the event and emphasized the significance of the rally in his rallying journey.
The duo will be driving a Subaru N10 in the B13 class and is looking forward to an exhilarating rally, particularly enjoying the Soysambu stage known for its fast and thrilling track. The Sikh Union team is highly regarded for their exceptional organization of the event.
