• He has blistering pace on the heat runs and is exhibiting splendid self-control and assertion.
• On Sunday, Neel will be looking to conquer Kiambu’s Twisty Corners terrain up against Round 5 winner, Amman Ganatra.
Image: HANDOUT
With only two seasons of competition, Neel Gohil has already shown the mindset of a future Kenya National Autocross Championship winner.
Last year, Neel lost the Two Wheel Drive Non-Turbo Junior Championship title to Brandon Ng’ang’a, after skipping a race due to personal commitments.
But if the Nairobi-based 14-year-old driver can continue in the same spirit, then the Two Wheel Drive Non-Turbo Junior Class title is winnable.
“Obviously, I am very happy with the car and my driving as well,” he said.
Neel has always desired to achieve new limits in circuit racing and has found a comfortable niche. He has blistering pace on the heat runs and is exhibiting splendid self-control and assertion.
One of the key strategies for the Salomon Kenya and Jaguar Petroleum and Lubricant City young athlete is consistency and knowing when is a good time to go for it a win.
On Sunday, Neel will be looking to conquer Kiambu’s Twisty Corners terrain up against Round 5 winner, Amman Ganatra.
Amaan is also showing a good pace this year having won in Mombasa, where Neel was second. But Neel took the FTD (Fastest Time of the Day) in his class which came with additional championship points.
“We had a bad miss on the buggy the whole day in Mombasa. But in terms of pace, I won the FTD by 1000th of a second. It was a tight one at sea level, I must admit. But an amazing race to be precise. By and large, I am glad that we junior drivers are destroying the times of the bigger guys including the turbo charged machines, so Twisty Corners should be another thriller,” Neel explained.
Over 20 drivers have signed up for this weekend’s race in Kiambu.
Meanwhile, Sameer Nanji will be hoping to maintain his dogged campaign for the Two Wheel Drive Non-Turbo Car Class against Bhupinder Singh.
In Two Wheel Drive Turbo Class, leader Qahir Rahim will be up against lady driver Nisha Pandya, Brandon Ng’ang’a, Azaad Manji and Deepal Shah.
Bambino Class leader Karamveer Singh Rooprai will be fighting to retain his position at the summit. Bambino girl rider Kiana Rajput will be the notable absentee due to personal commitment.
The father and son team of Eric and Eann Bengi are also expected to return to the Four Wheel Drive Turbo and Pee Wee classes respectively. Both are leading their Championship classes.
Kenya National Autocross Championship 2022
2WD Non Turbo Buggy
1 Gurraj Singh 83
2 Manveer Ghale 57
3 Rahul Patel 49
4 Ankush Manoj Shah 39
5 Kirit Rajput 14
6 Yusuf Pasta 15
2WD Non Turbo Car
1 Sameer Nanji 86
2 Bhupinder Sagoo 49
3 Carol Gatimu 31
4 Ahil Khan 19
5 Gatimu Mindo 15
6 Tinashe Gatimu 13
2WD Turbo Buggy
1 Qahir Rahim 72
2 Brandon Ng’ang’a 51
3 Azaad Manji 49
4 Nisha Pandya 40
5 Deepal Shah 39
6 Shaz Ismail 28
7 Inderjeet Puee 14
8 Zuber Manji 13
9 Deep Patel 0
4WD Turbo
1 Eric Bengi 44
2 George Njoroge 30
3 Hussain Malik 22
4 Aakif Virani 22
5 Hamza Anwar 17
6 Gatimo Mindo 17
7 Mustwafa Murad 15
8 Asad Anwar 15
9 Abhi Puee 15
10 John Ngugi14
11 Steve Gacheru 14
12 Lisa Christoffersen 12
13 Karan Patel 0
OPEN
1 Rajveer Thethy 76
2 Charan Thethy 37
3 Abdul Kadir Tarmal 22 22
4 Hamza Anwar 17
5 Maxine Wahome 15
6 Mustwafa Murad 14
7 Arjun Pattin 14
8 Safina Khan13
9 John Ngugi 12
10 Pauline Sheghu 11
BAMBINO
1 Karamveer Singh Rooprai 86
2 Saad Shamil Farouq 32
3 Kiana Rajput 17
4 Eann Bengi 17
Junior 2WD Non Turbo
1 Neel Gohil 80
2 Amaan Ganatra 57
3 Yuvraj Rajput 34
4 Salim Mansoor 29
5 Amraj Malle DNE 15
6 Tinashe Gatimu 15
Peewee
1. Eann Bengi 40