KEITH 2011 AUTO X CHAMPION

Keith Henrie is the new National Autocross 2011 Champion following Round 7 victory in the Athi River plains. He achieved the feat with an unassailable 147 points score which can't be surpassed by his closest challengers in the remaining two rounds.

Keith clocked 5.31.07minutes and earned two bonus championship points for setting the fastest time of the day (FTD) on his fourth heat run which he cleared in 1.47.23 minutes.  Rajbir Rai, son of two times Kenya Rally champion Sarbi Rai,  gave Keith all that he could handle in the latter stages before settling for second overall  on 5.31.73 minutes.

Rajbir was however flattered by winning the Under24 category what with a breathtaking war with Ken Anunda.  Anunda drove quite aggressively and maintained a steady run in the heat runs before sealing  the podium dash and losing second place by a whisker.  Anunda, who is proceeding to the UK for further studies signed off in style and lost second place to Rajbir by three tenths of a second.

Raaji Bharij on his first ever Autocross race settled for 4th overall while Amaanraj Rai came home fifth. Like Anunda, Amaanraj will also be proceeding for further studies in the UK. Round 7 action was full of hair-raising thrills and some spectacular hairpins too.  

But the race was delayed for three hours following an accident involving Amardeep Saund's buggy.  Saund lost control of his buggy, spun twice before crashing his "Attacker 1" buggy head-on against a tree.   The driver sustained a deep cut on his right leg and was rushed to hospital for further checkup.

A total of 17 drivers participated in  the RSC organized round including 3 Subaru rally cars driven by  Ben Muchemi, Stella Macharia and Onkar Rai. Keith's Starlet powered engine packed up in practice lap compelling him to share a buggy with Ken Anunda.

Results rd7

1. Keith Henrie 5.26.07mins

2. Rajbir Rai 5.31.73

3. Ken A. 5.32.06

Standings as at Rd 7

1. Keith 147points

2. Charles Mugo 85

3. Samir Khan 84