This archive report was first published on 17 August 2019.
On August 17, 2019, Manvir Baryan, navigated by Drew Sturrock, secured a convincing victory in the KCB Mombasa Rally, a round of the Kenya National Rally Championship (KNRC). The duo drove a Skoda Fabia, recording their third win in the KNRC series since 2017.
Baryan's impressive performance saw him set the fastest stage times in almost all sections from start to finish. He first won the Mombasa Rally in 2017, followed by a victory in the Kajiado Rally, and now a third win at the coast.
Locals Izhar Mirza and Kavit Dave secured their best-ever result in the KNRC series, finishing third overall in their home round of the KCB-sponsored series. They drove a Mitsubishi Lancer, taking advantage of the challenging terrain to secure a podium finish.
Issa Amwari and Job Njiru, despite experiencing a setback when their car put on its side in the last competitive stage, managed to finish ninth overall, driving a Mitsubishi Lancer. Amwari jokingly said, "We were baptized. We are both fine and managed to finish the rally. It was a good baptism."
Amwari and Njiru now lead the drivers' and navigators' classes in the overall standings of the Division Two Championship.
The revival of the night stage added an entertaining element to the rally, with cars fitted with extra wings and spotlights to navigate the dark terrain. Baryan won the night stage, showcasing his skills in the challenging conditions.
Several competitors experienced mechanical issues, including Geoff Mayes, who retired with engine failure in his Land Rover, and Onkar Rai, whose VW Polo ran out of fuel along the route.
Notable performances were recorded by newcomers to the KNRC series, including Amit Vaja/Willy Kibata and Arjun Pattni/Dinesh Varsani, who finished 10th and 11th respectively in their rally debuts.
The teams will now prepare for the next round in Nanyuki on August 31.
