Spectators banned from KCB Voi Rally over escalating Covid-19 cases

Spectators will be barred from this weekend’s KCB Voi Rally due to rising cases of Covid-19.

Kenya Motor Sport Federation (KMSF) General Manager Mwaura Njuguna said the Sikh Union-organised event will be run in accordance with World Governing Body (FIA) guidelines as well as Ministry of Health (MOH) protocols.

However, event officials, team crews, mechanics and media personalities will be allowed to operate within their workstations in line with stringent pandemic measures including social distancing and mask-wearing.

There will be a Covid officer to oversee the adherence of coronavirus protocols.

“In line with the Government of Kenya and FIA Covid-19 guidelines, organisers will not allow spectators at the Voi Rally to discourage social gathering,” said KMSF General Manager Mwaura Njuguna.

Over 20 drivers have signed up for the event which will criss cross Taita Taveta County. The event will revisit some of Kenya’s iconic stages around Taita Hills, Kasigau and Maungu, running through a sisal estate and private ranches.

According to Deputy Clerk of the Course, Qahir Rahim the event will provide different challenge for competitors with varied terrain taking in smooth fast roads, rocky outcrops, the deep red sand baths of Tsavo and the short blasts through the parched bushland that may well prove very testing for heated tyres.

Series leader Onkar Rai and his elder sibling Tejveer Rai will be the notable absentees in the event which will start and end at the Voi Wildlife Lodge. Tejveer is still recuperating from the accident he encountered on day one of Safari.

In absence of the Rais, there is a chance by Carl “Flash” Tundo and Baldev Chager to surpass Onkar’s massive lead.Rai currently leads the KNRC log with 73 points followed by Tundo (56 points) and Chager (54 points) while Tejveer and Jasmeet Chana are fourth and fifth with 49 points and 43 points respectively to their names. As for Onkar, the racing fraternity will miss the antics that saw him win Safari’s WRC3 category in Naivasha last month.

Saturday’s event will count towards the fourth leg of the KCB Kenya National Rally Championships (KNRC) after the season’s opening Nakuru Rally, Equator Rally and WRC Safari.

Battle royale looms in Division 1 where joint leaders Paras Pandya and Nikhil Sachania will go for each other’s jugular. McRae Kimathi and Dilraj Chatthe are a distant third on 30 points apiece.

Group N action will involve Premier Class driver in Jasmeet Chana (78 points), Paras (47 points), Evans Kavisi (34 points) and Hamza Anwar (30 points).

Legendary Ian Duncan tops the Specially Prepared Vehicles (SPV) class with 30 points ahead of Nikhil on 44. Duncan has nevertheless entered a Minti Motorsports Nissan 240. RS The repeat run of Izera Ranch stage (5.45km) will be the Power Stage where the top three fastest drivers will earn bonus points in the championship.