KEITH UPBEAT FOR AUTO X4

Leader Keith Henrie believes the absence of defending champion Steve Anthony wouldn’t water-down Sunday’s National Autocross Championship race at Jamhuri Park.Spurred on by two wins in the last three meetings, Henrie hopes to extend his lead in the Kenya Motor Sports Club (KMSC)-organized Autocross 4 what with anticipated stiff competition from his rivals.

 “Now that I have a comfortable lead in the Championship, I look forward to extending it with full competition from my rivals. I hear we have new arrivals and it’s good for the sport as we are all out to have fun,” said Henrie.

Ricky Aslam, the 2006 Autocross Champion, is a man on a mission. He is tired of living in the shadows of Henrie and wants to end Sunday’s occasion on a high. Smarting from second overall place in Ganze on April 3, Aslam believes he can take the fight to his adversaries on Sunday. Ricky hasn’t won a race since 2006 when he won the Championship. “The rust is now wiping out and we will be going for nothing short of victory,” said Ricky.

Ricky will share his ‘Attacker 1’ buggy with Shalien Mughal who also targets considerable limits on Sunday. “I beat Keith in Ganze and was really close to Steve (Anthony). This is a clear indication that we are dusting off the cobwebs really well,” continued Ricky.

The weekend’s meeting is also set to unlock rivalries in the main class as well as the under-24 category with some newcomers already enlisted.

Zimbabwean- born Geoff Mayes, a renowned photojournalist with Mayes Media, will be switching roles from photography to driving. Mayes’ Kick Energy-sponsored buggy is currently being prepared by Simon Sharpe. It’s powered by a Suzuki motorbike engine and owned by the Horsey family.

“It’s a 6 speed sequential gearbox, no reverse, with an attacker frame and body. This buggy has actually been used by my late brother when he raced for Suzuki in motocross in Zimbabwe,” said Mayes.

Shahazim Esmail is also set to make his debut as Jazz Nadhra makes his second appearance. The 18 year old Amaanraj Rai, son of legendary two-times Kenyan Rally Champion Sarbi Rai, is also making his Autocross debut doggedly set to keep Rai’s family name flying.

Amaanraj’s elder brother Rajbir Rai-currently studying in the UK-will skip the Sunday meeting but will be available for the rest of the season. Rajbir made his first appearance in the season-opening round on February 20 but failed to finish with mechanical gremlins.

Youngsters Ken Anunda and Charles Mugo will be locking horns in the under-24 category eager to welcome Amaanraj to the youngster’s club. Mombasa-based Rathod siblings Karan and Rikin also hope to make a comeback after skipping two rounds in Ganze and Soysambu.

Standings as at Round 3

1. Keith Henrie 59

2. Steve Anthony 39

3. Samir Khan 38

4. Charles Mugo 36

5. Ken Anunda 34

6. Kyle Lucas 20

7. Karan Rathod 17

8. Rikin Rathod 17

9. Mickey Hughes 15

10. Mubashir Khan 14