Undaunted by the muddy conditions, Andrew Pleasance rode his powerful KTM bike to victory in the first round of the National Cross Country Rally Challenge in Narok on Sunday.

With the current heavy rains pounding the region, competitors had a challenging task to navigate through the ‘mud-spattering’ stretches and ‘flash floods’ though some areas of the circuit remained dry.

Pleasance was also elated with the early lead he took in the Kenya National Enduro Championship, as Allan De Boer and defending Champion Harry Guelker finished second and third respectively.

The victor completed five laps in 3h27m11s within the permissible cutoff time while De Boer cruised home second in 3:47:43 (5laps).

Shazar Anwar, riding a Bombardier DS 650 quad, stunned all and sundry when he romped home a credible fifth, incidentally, beating motorbike and buggy competitors. Shazar completed 4laps in 4h00m45s.

The weekend results were a clear indication that quads and cars were rapidly closing in on motorbikes which have dominated the cross-country since introduced its in Kenya .

IVAN GUYA SPARKLES AT JAMHURI PARK

Despite pre-season scares from newly promoted Apollo Mbuki, wonder boy Ivan Guya lived up to expectation in the season opening Kenya National Motocross Championships at Jamhuri Park race track.

Guya opened an early lead in the MX85 class as bikes showdown got off to a thunderous start.

"The bike's handling felt so good in the entire three heats and this is a perfect way of starting a season," said Guya.

Apollo Mbuki also won accolades in the MX85 riding his KTM 85 machine to second overall at first attempt.

"I guess this is a perfect start. I am still coming to grips with the bike," Mbuki commented.

Cruze Muigai, at MX 2, remained trim and formidable. Muigai beat his cousin Tutu Maina to second overall but complained of the pain inflamed by some old hand injury.

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ANTHONY WINS AUTO –X 1

Steve Anthony got his title defense off to a flying start when he powered his 1300cc Starlet-powered buggy to victory in the first round of the Kenya National Autocross Championship.

Braving the scorching sun and a hard Jamhuri Park surface, Anthony also garnered two bonus points for setting the Fastest Time of the Day (FTD) when he cleared his third heat run in 2.15.24minutues.The Sunday meeting witnessed the return of two former rivals and previous champions Ricky Aslam (2006) and Glen Behr (2007).

Aslam returned to the buggy circuit after a four-year layoff while the 2007 Champion Behr made a comeback after skipping two seasons.Also returning to the buggy action were bike rider Salim Walimohammed, Simon Sharpe and Shalien Mughal who shared a buggy with Ricky.

Subaru N-series rally cars-driven by Bob Kaugi and Ben Muchemi also participated in the event finishing 14th and 16th respectively.Anthony was enthusiastic of his good start but staunchly admitted the speeds were quite blistering despite the absence of 2008 Champion Ian Duncan.

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TUNDO OFF TO FLYING START

A febrile Carl “Flash” Tundo launched his 2010 KNRC title defense in awesome fashion around Kerio Valley incidentally defending the KCB Biashara Banking Rally in the championship winning Mitsubishi Evolution 9.

The Lanet based farmer had his campaign effectively sewn up when speedster Lee Rose was wrong slotted first time round on the 21.6km CS1 Sergoit-Iten stage before retiring in first service in Iten with mechanical gremlins. Rose resorted for Atul Kochhal when his regular navigator Piers Daykin was held up in Timau.

The victory in the Western Kenya Motor Club organized season-opener was a flawless way for Tundo to start his KNRC defense apparently with the 33mm restrictor increase FIA has allowed effective 2010.

 Spectators and rally officials were able to keep abreast with conditions on the ground thanks to internet service provider partner i-Way Africa and Car Track who are tracking the event real time online.

Five time Kenya Champion Ian Duncan romped home second interestingly on his first event after the dropping of the 2percent penalty.

Third was 1999 Kenya Champion Alastair Cavenagh who had to contend with two punctures on the first loop. Baldev Chager came home 4th with Asad Khan taking fifth overall.

This was Tundo’s seventh win in the Mitsubishi Evolution 9 he acquired from the South African Rally Chicks Lola and Meagan Varlaque last season and crowned it with victory in the Eldoret round last season. Tundo was all smiles as cars pulled in to the Iten service park: “It was a hair-raising event through quite a bit of traffic on the way. It was actually difficult to gauge the speed if there is more power (in the increased restrictor size) as it pulls a lot more on the top end,” Tundo commented.