Singh thrills as Kanyali wins maiden Rob’s Magic

By FP Reporter

The steep ascents and descents of Lukenya were absolutely vibrant to competitors and spectators alike, but it was Diani-based driver John Kanyali who had the guts.

Truly so, Kanyali was elated with his maiden Rob’s Magic Quattro Charge victory after six years of trying in the now admired Mercedes Unimog.

Navigated by Joe Kimani, Kanyali lost 6155points in what went down as the toughest and biggest rockery challenge in the history of the event. Sunday’s 2009 Quattro Charge raised Sh1.5 million with event organiser Rob Collinge singling out the setup as the best ever since inception in 2001. Of the total amount raised, a prize fund of Sh1.2 million goes towards competitors’ kitty for the 2010 Rhino Charge.

"The new venue (Lukenya) was a real challenge especially section eight of the intermediates where we were compelled to drive at 45 degress along a steep climb. It becomes more exciting when you encounter fresh obstacles by every event," Kanyali said after the event.

In winning the 2009 edition, Kanyali bagged Sh130,000 that goes directly against his entry at the 2010 Rhino Charge.

The early morning drizzle rendered rocks slippery making the the intermediate sections a tough terrain to maneuver.

Bob Kaugi made the least errors thus winning the intermediate class with 3035 points.

Crowd pleaser

For Nyeri-based 71-year-old, Jaswaran Singh, age was nothing but a number. Singh was not only a crowd pleaser in Lukenya competitor what with his 1940 ex-military Jeep MB, he was in fact the oldest.

Singh, who has been competing in the Rhino Charge since 1989, came home second in the expert class behind Kanyali, having lost 6,315 points.

"The car is incidentally one year younger than me and I am happy it is still strong.

The hill-climb section was quite exciting and the toughest of them all but we had no problem steering through," said Singh who bagged Sh80,000 towards his Rhino Charge course.

Land Rover’s Jonathan Bovard made it third in the experts with 6,490points and had his Rhino Charge kitty boosted with Sh70,000. Rally ace Ian Duncan, teaming up with motocross rider Bruce Cattermole was back to the Quattro Charge with his carroty Land Cruiser and finished fifth overall with 6,520 points.

 

 

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