The home stretch

By Ernest Ndunda

Series leader Baldev ‘Boldy’ Chager admits it will be a pulsating showdown as the KCB Guru Nanak Rally brings down the curtain on the Kenya National Rally Championship on November 22-23.

"There is hardly any time left. We only have two weeks to put our machines in sound shape after the Coast tour. We really have to make serious preparations and the idea is to drive sensibly fast to ensure we lay our hands on the title," said Chager.

Outgoing champion Carl ‘Flash’ Tundo blew away his chances when he flipped his Subaru N10 at the treacherous CS2 Sokoke, rendering the KNRC tussle a two-hose race. Chager reckons that pressure is more on his Triton Sports teammate Rose.

"Pressure is more on Lee’s camp than ours because he must win the last round," Chager said. Chager is at pains to claim what he would have achieved 10 years ago when he made his KNRC debut in 1998. He led the championship midway through then by winning three rallies only to falter in the latter stages.

The National series was then won by Azar Anwar on the last day when Paul Bailey’s car stalled on transport road section in Athi River. Interestingly, the championship is as close as it was in 1998 and Chager is on the spot once again.Though Rose stands a slim chance of winning, he is yet to give up the fight.

"I have to fight to the very end and see what happens but there is no gainsaying that Baldev has it within sight," Rose said after winning the KCB Visa card Rally in Kilifi.

The KCB Visa card Rally was one of the most challenging, with seven cars rolling in one loop. Rose is, however, optimistic that his fearless and flat-out attitude will not be in vain.

"We have not achieved optimum speed but I am happy with the performance this far. We did not push the car too hard at the Coast because were going for a finish," he said.

He has been the fastest driver this season, posting the fastest stage time, but has had his fortunes changed by mechanical problems. Tundo has on some occasions admitted that Rose’s Mitsubishi Evolution 9 is just fantastic.

Chager, on the other hand, is set to become the 2008 KCB KNRC champion should he finish below 14th position and Rose wins the Guru Nanak. Should Baldev finish 15th overall and Rose wins Guru Nanak Rally, then the two will tie on 460, therefore handing Rose the victory on the ‘cleanest Furthest’ rule for having won the most rallies.

He has won three rallies, including the KCB Safari rally. Chager has secured two wins in Nanyuki and Nakuru. At 455 points, he only needs 10 points to eclipse Rose who is on 380 points.

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