Machakos Rally concludes with a nail-biting 15.08km (SS6) Phinny 2 Power Stage on Saturday at the expansive Lisa Ranch, where title contenders Jasmeet Chana and Karan Patel hope to push for additional championship points.
Leader Chana and Karan Patel head into the penultimate round of the Kenya National Rally Championship (KNRC) separated by 20-points following last month's Mombasa Motor Club (MMC) Bamba Rally in Kilifi.
The Nairobi-based duo will be looking to attack the Power Stage that traditionally runs as the final stage of a rally where additional championship points are available to the fastest three crews regardless of where they actually finished in the rally.
The fastest driver through the Power Stage will savour 3 additional points whilst the second and third fastest drivers will bag 2 points and 1 point respectively.
The stage will first be run as a normal stage in the morning section whereby its repeat run in the afternoon will count as the Power Stage.
The 3-stage loop also has Phill (30.58km) and Mikey (28.75km) which will be repeated in the afternoon session.
"We expect the top two (Chana and Karan) to push quite hard on the Power Stage as each one of them will be looking to maximise on points.
"Anticipated speeds on the Power Stage should treat spectators to some hair-raising thrills given that crews will have mastered the stage on its second run," clerk of the course Helen Shiri explained.
Ongoing rains are expected to pound the black cotton terrain in Lisa which leaves crews with no choice but to use wet-weather tyres.
Asked about the anticipated wet situation, Jasmeet said: "If it rains, this weekend, then it will be very tricky as Lisa Farm is all black cotton soil. All in all, tyre choice will be paramount."
Meanwhile, organisers have announced guidelines for spectators following the posting of the Safety Plan for the event which will count towards the eighth leg of the KNRC.
The free spectator area will be located at the main entrance with a view of the start and part of the stage but from behind a fence in a limited area.
All spectators will be required to leave the ranch by 6 pm.
