- Jasmeet Chana is leading the log for the first time ever
- He believes he can go all the way and win the overall crown
- He has finished in the podium for seven straight times
New leader Jasmeet Chana believes his first ever Kenya National Rally Championship lead is a testament to CRS Racing team’s hard work.
His seventh straight podium of the 2022 season in the just concluded MMC Bamba Rally leapfrogged him to the KNRC summit following Karan Patel’s early retirement on the first speed test.
Jasmeet and his sibling co-driver Ravi Chana savored their sea level success, but pair were quick to acknowledge the efforts made by their colleagues.
“The team has been on the ball– so this one is definitely for them,” quipped Jasmeet, adding: ‘They continue to burn the midnight oill, hence the multiple podiums.”
“And today (Saturday October 15) with God’s grace we have taken the lead in the KNRC championship with two rounds left. Thank you to Ongole Beef, Matica, our team CRS Racing for the great effort and Identisys Ltd!! Its been a hard one.”
Leads for the first time in his career
Chana now leads the Championship’s overall standings for the first time in his career after finishing every single round in second position this season.
Second overall in Bamba behind Raaji Singh Bharij – with additional two points on the powerstage – elevates Jasmeet into a 20-point championship lead over Karan Patel who suffered early retirement.
Karan now drops to second n the log after seven rallies, while Two Wheel Drive/Division 3 leader Leonardo Varese clings on to the top three despite 6th overall in Kilifi County.
All that Jasmeet needs to do to seal his maiden career KNRC overall title is to finish second in the remaining two rounds to be organized by RSC and SUC in November and December respectively.
Varese hopes to keep record
Varese on his part said: “The approach going forward is to keep our 100pc finish record intact. We need to enter at least one more event to seal the 2WD Championship at penultimate stage. But we hope to enter the last 2 rounds in order to complete the full season.”
“The Auris has been great; a few upgrades here and there but easy to maintain and we have bonded as one.: The open roads in Bamba were well marshalled- very enjoyable route exept for a bit in SS1 which was rough, tight and rocky.”
The penultimate round 8 of the series- sponsored by KBL through it,’s flagship White Cap brand- heads to Machakos County next month and will be organized by Rallye Sports Club.
KNRC STANDINGS AFTER ROUND 7 -MMC BAMBA RALLY
DRIVERS
1 Jasmeet Chana “Iceman” 187
2 Karan K Patel 167
3 Leonardo Varese 75
4 Maxine Wahome 74
5 Kush Patel 73
CO-DRIVERS
1 Ravi Chana 187
2 Tauseef Khan 167
3 Kigo Kareithi 75
4 Murage Wa Waigwa 74
5 Mudassar Chaudry 73
MMC Bamba Rally-KNRC Round 7 of 9
1 (#16) Raaji Bharij/ Ravi Soni Skoda Fabia 01:30:06.5
2 (#6) Jasmeet Chana/ Ravi Chana( Mitsubishi EVO 10) 01:41:03.5
3 (#52) Abdulkadir Tarmal/ Anthony Gichohi (Subaru )01:56:24.1
4 (#22) Kush Patel/ Mudasar Chaudry(Subaru) 01:59:09.9
5 (#20) Maxine Wahome / Murage Waigwa (Subaru) 02:01:41.3
6 (#44) Leo Varese / Kigondu Kareithi (Toyota Auris 2WD) 02:11:26.7
RETIREMENTS
Karan Patel SS1
Steve Mwangi -suspension Arm
Nikhil Sachania-oil cooler
Evans Kavisi-Turbo
Piero Canobbio-SS3 mechanical
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