RAAJI, MAYES DEBUT

Following some dazzling jumps and hair-raising thrills at last weekend’s KCB Safari Rally, Jamhuri Park will again be the venue for explosive action when the fifth round of the National Autocross Championship gets underway on Sunday.

Defending Under-24 Champion and all-rounder Charles Mugo will not only be racing to amass main Championship points, but will alongside the rest of the youngsters engage in a fierce “behind the scenes” battle for the under 24 class honors.

“The buggy rolled the last race and I have been rebuilding it meticulously. Hopefully, it will be finished by Sunday. The race has been very competitive but ill still try and I hope to give it what I have and God willing, to win the under24 championship title and get a good slot on the championship. I am looking at the top three, I hope,” said Mugo.

There has been some good humored rivalry amongst the youngsters as the battle for the Under-24 takes shape in the season.

Mugo takes on Ken Anunda and Amoonraj Rai in the Under-24 class but the duo will also be seeking to also push series leader Keith Henrie to the limit.

Series defending Champion, Steve Anthony has opted out of Sunday’s meeting citing pressing job commitments.

“I won’t be able to make it. I wish fellow drivers a safe and competitive race,” said Steve who is skipping his third race of the season.

With Steve out of Sunday’s action, Keith Herie is bubbling with confidence after having a feel of the race venue last weekend navigating England based Farhaaz Khan “Fazzy” in the KCB Safari Rally.

“I wish Steve could come back as I enjoy competing with him. I have not got the hang of that track, so I will try and be consistent for the rest of the season,” said Henrie.

Mugo has been practicing to perfect his driving lines and will be on the charge on Sunday. Newcomer Jazz Nadhra surprised everyone including himself when he powered his buggy back in second overall position. To Nadhra, the win was a pleasant surprise but his biggest challenge remains the phases of development his buggy has to go through in the next few months.  Nadhra was who savored his career best second position at the last meeting exuded confidence.   
"It was only my second event in autocross and I'm quite pleased with second position today. The conditions were really tough. I had some good laps and some bad ones too but the good ones made the difference," said Nandra.   
Others expected include Samir Khan, Shalien Mughal, Ricky Aslam , Amit Bhatt,  and  Pinal Patel. There will be four newcomers in the race. Rally ace Raaji Bharij who finished sixth overall in the KCB Safari last weekend has acquired the ex-Quentin Mitchell buggy that he will share with Amardeep Shand. Both Amardeep and Bharij will be making their debuts along with Shahzim Ismail and photojournalist Geoff Mayes.

STANDINGS
Keith Henrie 81

Samir Khan 63

Charles Mugo 49

Ken Anunda 44

Steve Anthony 39