Apollo & Shivam Win

 WEEKEND MOTOR CROSS ACTION

Apollo Mbuki’s distinct affinity for speed and grace was evident as he registered his fifth successive win of the season during the H20/Oilibya Motocross series at Jamhuri Park Sunday. 

Like Apollo, Shivam Vinayak (MX1) also showed some flashes of brilliance on his new Yamaha 450 four-stroke with yet another flawless points’ score.

After five rounds of brilliant display, Shivam and Apollo remain the only riders in the championship with maximum points at the culmination of the fifth meeting.

“It’s good that I came in first in all the three heats. We adjusted the carburetor settings to secure the right power and it worked out quite well,” Shivam noted. With five rounds gone, Shivam and Apollo are the only riders to realize the 300points mark.

David Murigi was the surprise winner at MX50 when series leader Murigu Njiiri fell off his bike in the second heat. Murigu came home third behind Fly 540-sponored Alistair Diniz with Ryan Bailey slumping to fourth. Max Green, son of former Kenya champion Rory Green, came home fifth with Maina Wanjigi, Benni Kahumbura, Nikita Sehmi and Owen Ashely following in that order.

Cruze Muigai won the fifth consecutive round- but only just. His bid to secure a perfect score, and as such, the admirable 300points score came to naught when his cousin Tutu won two of the three heats. Tutu, who was the sole Kenyan representative at last weekend’s ‘Full Throttle’ AMU Championship in Windhoek, oozed confidence and drew the first blood at the opening heat.

But mechanical gremlins in the preceding heat saw Tutu forfeit vital points. His bike was fixed well in time for his third heat run which he won but failing to score in the second heat handed Cruze the win. Tutu incidentally was fascinated that he was gradually coming to terms with the new four-stroke 250cc bike. “The only challenge is that the new bike is still too heavy, so I have to work a lot more on my physical fitness,” Tutu said.

Moody Rallye rider, Adil Khan (KTM85) was all smiles in his second successive win at MX85. JJ Kahumbura was second overall with Eugene Maina coming home third. Outside the podium were Ted Wanday, Masalule Kituyi, Lucca Poggi and Gitahi Mwangi.  “It was quite an exciting race, I must admit. The first heat was challenging and I am happy that I am getting used to the new bike. Eugene (Maina) was tough but my confidence and practice paid off,” said Adil.

FULL RESULTS:
MX 50: 1. David Murigi 54 2. Alistair Diniz 45 3. Murigu Njiiri 40 4. Ryan Bailey 5. Max Green 31 6. Maina Wanjigi 31 7. Benni Kahumbura 26  8. Nikita Sehmi 18  9. Owen Ashley 15.

MX65: 1. Apollo Mbuki 60 2. Samir Anwar 51 3. Karan Sehmi 43 4. Walter Kuria 40 5. Githuku Mwangi 33 6. Muthandi Mwangi 31 7. Alvin Mungai 28 8. Ashley Njoroge 16.

MX85: 1. Adil Khan 60, 2. JJ Kahumbura 44 3. Eugene Maina 41, 4. Ted Wanday 39, 5. Masalule Kituyi 33 6. Lucca Poggi 32 7. Gitahi Mwangi 18.

MX2: 1. Cruze Muigai  54 2. Tutu Maina 40 3. Isaac Kuria 30

MX1: 1. Shivam Vinayak 60 2. David Lawrence Brown 49 3. Charles Mugoi 47 4. Ken Anunda 39 5. Louis Dirnboek 32 6. Moses Mugo 31.