•The five-time Safari Rally winner is listed in both the Kenya National Rally Championship Safari Rally category and WRC’s support category (WRC2) which has attracted leading Europe-based professional drivers.
• In 2023, Tundo became the first Kenyan to hit the podium in the WRC’s second-tier category when he powered his Skoda Fabia Rally2 to third overall in WRC2.
Image: FILE
Rally ace Carl 'Flash' Tundo believes his longstanding success and experience will help him to a decent finish at next week’s WRC Safari Rally in Naivasha.
The five-time Safari Rally winner is listed in both the Kenya National Rally Championship Safari Rally category and WRC’s support category (WRC2) which has attracted leading Europe-based professional drivers.
Driving under Betika Racing livery for the third year running, the multiple Kenya Rally champion revealed his burning desire to build on his previous performances in the event first held in 1953 as a celebration of the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II.
Entered in a Ford Fiesta Rally2 marque, Tundo will be joined in the four-car Betika Racing team squad by Andrew Muiruri, Ishmael Azeli and Talanta Hella all-women’s crew of Jenifer Malik and Kui Mungai.
Betika have allocated Sh20 million to support the Kenyan drivers, an increase from last year's Sh14 million.
Tundo said: “I’m privileged and proud to be a part of the Betika Racing outfit for the third consecutive year. We have had a good record with Betika, and a special journey, bringing in a new corporate entity in motorsports.”
Tundo finished ninth overall and third in the WRC3 Class in the 2021 Safari event behind the wheel of a VW Polo R5 (now Rally 2) and emerged the winner of the KNRC category in a Mitsubishi Evolution X in the 2022 edition.
Image: HANDOUT
In 2023, Tundo became the first Kenyan to hit the podium in the WRC’s second-tier category when he powered his Skoda Fabia Rally2 to third overall in WRC2.
The all-Polish crew of Kajetan Kajetanowicz /M. Szczepaniak (Skoda Fabia Evo) and the Czech Republic duo of Martin Prokop/Z.Jurka in a Fiesta Mk I were top and second respectively.
Daniel Chwist and K. Heller from Poland driving a Fabia RS clocked 4:52:52.1 to finish fourth.
The 2021 Safari edition will remain etched on Tundo's memory as he scored historic WRC points in ninth overall, the same year he got his mitts on the FIA African Rally Championship.
“Preparations have been good. I have been practising but in a different car. I have not been in my Ford (Fiesta) yet. Next week we will work on some technicalities that a Ford has versus the Skoda and VW,” said Tundo.
Malik is also bubbling with confidence ahead of D-day.
"Competing in this year’s Safari Rally is a dream come true. This is my second time competing at the WRC and I hope to inspire young girls in Kenya to pursue their passion for motorsport,” said Malik.
Betika's Managing Director Mutua Mutava said: "We are proud to stand behind Tundo, Muiruri, Azeli, and Malik as they navigate these formidable obstacles of the African terrain with unwavering determination and skill. We are aware of the vast abilities of our youth and would like to hold their hands whenever we can.”
KNRC SAFARI RALLY ENTRIES
1 #28 Karan Patel/ Tauseef Khan KEN -KEN (Skoda Fabia)
2 #101 Jasmeet Chana /Ravi Chana KEN -KEN (Ford Fiesta -Rally2)
3 #30 Aakif Virani /Zahir Shah KEN- KEN (Skoda Fabia -Rally2)
4 #24 Carl Tundo/Timothy Jessop KEN- KEN (Ford Fiesta -Rally2)
5 #29 Samman Singh Vohra/Alfir Khan KEN -KEN (Skoda Fabia -Rally2)
6 #102 Issa Amwari/Nsubuga Musa KEN- KEN (Mitsubishi Evolution 10)
7 #103 Jeremiah Wahome/Victor Okundi KEN -KEN (Ford Fiesta -Rally3)
8 #34 Hamza Anwar/Adnan Din KEN -KEN (Ford Fiesta -Rally3)
9 #35 Yasin Nasser/Ali Katumba UGA -UGA (Ford Fiesta -Rally2)
10 #36 Nikhil Sachania/Deep Patel KEN- KEN (Mitsubishi Evolution 10)
11 #104 Josiah Kariuki/John Ngugi KEN -KEN (Subaru Impreza)
12 #105 Edward Maina/Anthony Gichohi KEN -KEN (Subaru Impreza NAT-S)
13 #37 Minesh Rathod/Gordon Noble KEN -GRB (Mitsubishi Evolution 10)
14 #38 Andrew Muiruri/Edward Njoroge KEN -KEN (Mitsubishi Evolution 10)
16 #106 Ishmael Azeli/John Kadivane KEN- KEN (Subaru Impreza NAT-S)
17 #107 Tinashe Gatimu/Caroline Gatimu KEN -KEN (Subaru Impreza)
18 #108 Pauline Shegu/Linet Ayuko KEN- KEN (Subaru Impreza NAT-S)
19 #109 Jennifer Malik/Margaret Mungai KEN -KEN (Subaru Impreza
20 #110 Lisa Christofferson/Mitchelle Chao KEN- KEN (Subaru Impreza NAT-S)