Jan 16 TUTU TAKES FIGHT TO SHIVAM AS MOTOCROSS SEASON STARTS THIS WEEKEND

Tutu Maina, the outgoing MX2 Champion, has moved a berth up to the MX1 Class category and is expected to give defending champion Shivam Vinayak a run for his money when the new Motocross season revs-off at Jamhuri Park racetrack on Sunday.

The official heat runs begin at 10am with continuous racing for spectators running through to the afternoon session.  

With Tutu graduating to the next level, the MX2 class will remain much the same with the comeback of Randall Kihara, Andrew Kenneth and Zane Young. 

Randall has said he will race in selected motocross rounds but hopes to tackle the full Enduro series.

And with Tutu also moving to Enduros and to MX1, he is taking the fight to Shivam (the 2012 motor personality of the year)  in all aspects, so thrills and spills are guaranteed. 

"As all riders try to settle in the new season, tough racing is expected," said Maina Muturi, the Secretary of East African Motor Sports Club (EAMSC) who are organizing the first race. 

Tutu  had a spectacular motocross season in 2012; one that he won't forget soon. 

The MX2 rider was crowned the FIM  Central African Champion and National Champion in the same year he was sitting his Form Four Exams. With more time on his hands in 2013, Tutu is eager to make it a season of adventure. 

Tutu was quite the crowd pleaser with his aerial stunts and entertaining riding. This was his cousin Cruze Muigai’s forte. Cruze left for university education in the UK depriving MX2 lovers of the competition between the two. 

"I want to look for diversity in motorsport. I’ll do the enduro and cross-country full championships, said Tutu. 

The motorsport world is literally Tutu Maina’s oyster in 2013, he has his options open and time on his side.

 Other riders to move to new categories include Ethan Nyachae from MX50 to MX65. 

Outgoing champion Rolf Kihara and Elias Sherman will push their 65 rivalry to MX 85. 

MX50 Champion Jesse Waithaka is moving up the ranks to the MX65. Dekker Kihara remains in MX50 where he is expected to call the shots. 

Champion rider Samir Awar is moving   from MX 85 to MX 125. 

The MX 125 fireworks now move to MX2 where they will find Ivan Guya waiting for them. 

Guya is a rider who is thirsty of success; having been eclipsed by Tutu.

Those moving are from MX125 to the MX2 are Apolo Mbuki, Masalule Kituyi and Rohan Gandhi. 

Mbuki is upgrading from a KTM 125 to a four-stroke Honda 250 and is currently practicing to come to grips with the new bike. 

"Standards have been set and only the sky is the limit for the new rivalries in the new season," added Maina.  

Signing on and scrutineering runs from 08:00 am to 08:30 am. 

Riders Briefing is from 09:30 am to 09:45 am.

Practice starts at 09:45 AM through to 11:00 AM. Posting of results is from 16:30 PM. Prize giving and Announcements will be done at 17:00 PM.