MUTURI, PELLING CAPTAIN FIM TEAM

    Babu Muturi and Sean Pelling have been named Kenya team Captains for FIM Africa Cross-Country Motorcycle and Quad Challenge slated for Delamere Estate’s Soysambu Conservancy in mid October.

 Chairman of Motorcycle Commission Anthony Nielsen while making the announcement said the two riders have been into off-road racing and should provide the much needed leadership to the Kenya team riders.

“Pelling has been the Kenya Champion for Enduro and it will be exciting to see him compete at the highest level,” said Nielsen, who is also the Chairman of the Organizing Committee.

    Nielsen said the Kenya team will be launched next week but sent out a passionate appeal to sponsors and well wishers to come forward and assist their course. “We are sending out an appeal for sponsorship because none have come on board so far. But its encouraging that after the transition at KMSF things will be okay,” said Nielsen.

 Kenya will be entering a team of 30 riders including series leader Shivam Vinayak (Energy Monster Kawasaki 450), the Mugos-Charles (Honda 450) and Moses KTM525). Riders will also use the fourth and last round of the September 3-4 Ganatra Cross Country Challenge  in Masinga Dam to shape up for the Continental event.

Meanwhile, things are moving at a first-rate pace, said Nielsen. The FIM Africa secretariat in South Africa has already approved Additional Supplementary Regulations (ASRs) and its all systems go.

    The event is open to all riders and teams from FIM Africa countries and is organized in accordance with rules and regulations of both FIM and FIM Africa. The entries open and close on Friday, September 23 at 17.00Hours.

    Unlike in 2004 when Kenya staged this event, there has been a slight change in safety regulations. Nielsen said safety and navigation will be the top priority to the organizers.

 “The rules have changed to some extent since we staged this event in 2004. During that time, they didn’t allow riders to see the route prior but this time round every rider will have to take a familiarization practice lap to see how the route looks like due to safety reasons,” said Nielsen.

 As far as navigation is concerned, there is a lot in store. “The route will be marked up as stipulated by FIM competition rules. We also have danger signs strategically positioned so riders will have to look out for tapes to stay on course,” said Nielsen.