HORSEY ENTERS SUNDAY’S KCB RALLY IN ELDORET

Rising Kenyan rally driver Peter Horsey will kick start a very busy season of rallying this weekend when the 26 year old and his Ugandan co driver Moses Matovu take to the start of the KCB Biashara Banking Rally in Eldoret.

Horsey, who won the prestigious Pirelli Star Driver scheme in 2009, will use his Civicon backed Mitsubishi Evo 9 for the opening round of the Kenyan National Rally Championship and intends to push hard from the word go.

Yamakasi Team upgrades

The febrile Mombasa-based Yamakasi Rally Team of Said Hamad and Victor Okundi are not fazed by changes coming up in the 2010 KCB Kenya National Rally Championship series.Overtly so, the crew are instead mulling over their charge in the season opening KCB Biashara Banking Rally slated for Eldoret on February 7.

Like many other teams, Yamakasi are embracing the state-of-the-art technology at a time when the World Motorsport Governing body, FIA, has effective 2010 authorized the increase of turbo restrictors from 32mm to 33mm; meaning more boost and speed.

KCB PRESENT 2010 RALLY SPONSORSHIP

Kepha Bosire, Div.Director-Public Affairs & Communications, KCB. (right) presents  a dummy cheque of thirty million shillings to Jim Kahumbura, Chairman KMSF, during the launch of KCB KNRC 2010 while, Commissioner of Sports, Gordon Oluoch (centre) Looks on.

 
Title sponsors Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) have officially presented the sponsorship package for the 2010 KCB Kenya National Rally Championship (KNRC) series as preparations for the new season gathered momentum.
This is  part of the three year partnership Kenya Motor Sports Foundation (KMSF) signed with KCB last season to race ahead with rallying through to 2011.
The Bank and KMSF have had a long and cherished relationship for seven years taking Kenyan motor-sports to greater heights.
"This relationship has been instrumental in promoting our brand across the country and we want to nurture it further for the benefit of sport and our two organizations," Divisional Director Public Affairs and Communications Kepha Bosire said on the inauguration of the 2010 KCB KNRC season in Nairobi.
Mr Bosire presented the Sh. 30million dummy cheque to KMSF Chairman, Jim Kahumbura  during the launch of the title sponsors and co-sponsors of the 2010 KCB KNRC.
All the six co-sponsors-I-way Africa, Highlands Waters, Car Track, Identisys, EAPC Co. Ltd and National Oil -have renewed their sponsorships for the 2010 KNRC season.

Ben “Baba Shiro” Muchemi is the 2009 motor personality-of-the- year. Muchemi achieved the feat during the Annual Awards Ceremony at Rangers Club in Nairobi.

The never-say-never rally driver won the award after coming out of a coma and driving in all the eight rallies of the 2009 KCB Kenya National Rally Championship. He takes over from three times champion Azar Anwar who won the award in 2008.

Muchemi was elated with the award saying it was the biggest surprise he ever had since surviving a coma in 2008.

The Subaru N10 driver was diagnosed with stomach cancer in 2008 and subsequently flown to the Asian Institute of Gastroenterology in India for an operation. He miraculously made a comeback to the cockpit with verve and vigor.

“I am flabbergasted by this award. It’s the biggest surprise I ever had since coming out of a coma. I dedicate this award to my daughters Shiro and Shiko who are not here today,” said Muchemi.

Muchemi beat two other nominees-Ian Duncan and Yamaha motocross rider Shivam Vinayak for the big award.

In the Special Awards category, MX50 rider David Murigi won the Neil Granger Brown trophy for the moist improved motorcycle personality.

Arthur Kinyanjui “AK 47” was voted the most improved autocross driver. The Kulwant Chana Memorial trophy (media) went to the Standard Group while the Johnny Hellier Memorial for contribution in motor sports (competitors exempted) was bestowed to Jackie Holt. Other awards included the Mike Vaughan-Ryall Memorial Trophy for best organizing club won by Kenya Motor Sport Club.