VARESE READY FOR SIMBA SAVINGS

Fresh from winning the Formula Two Rally in Kisumu, Leonardo Varese is now on the high as he prepares to tackle the KCB Simba Savings Rally to be held in Meru between 25 and 26 June.A second consecutive victory in the KCB-sponsored series would help the Volkswagen Golf driver to extend his lead in the overall standings of the F2 championship and bring him closer to clinching the title for the second time in his short rallying career.

Varese is among leading drivers preparing for the fourth round of the KCB-sponsored series to be held by the slopes of Mount Kenya. The Rallye Sport Club-organized event will have six competitive stages of which four will be done twice. The highlight of the competition will be a spectator stage to be held at the Meru AKS grounds at the end of reconnaissance and scrutineering of cars on the Friday.

Apart from KCB, the national events are also supported by other sponsors. National Oil Corporation, Iway Africa, Highlands, Identisys, Car Track and ALS play a major role in the development of the KNRC series. The main rally will start on Saturday at 7am with stages within the outskirts on Nkubu which is along the Meru/Embu road.   Meanwhile, champion in 2008 and with five outright victories under his belt, Varese says winning the crown for the second time would have a greater impact on his rallying career.

“Another title winning season would mean a lot to the whole team and also improve my CV greatly. I would like to do well in Meru to keep my momentum flowing,’’ said Varese.

Considered to be one of the most consistent drivers in the F2 championship, Varese’s season has so far been interesting having started the 2010 season with a third place in Eldoret and a fifth in the KCB Safari Rally before emerging winner of the latest round in Kisumu last month.  

The Jade Petroleum-sponsored driver leads the overall standings of the F2 series with 42 points. Munir Khan, who failed to finish in Kisumu, is tied in the second place with Peter Mburu on 36 points. 

Charles Hinga (26 pts) has ditched F2 to move higher into the main KNRC category. The Oil Libya-sponsored was placed 11^th in Kisumu in his first drive in a 4wd drive Mitsubishi Lancer.

Varese put brakes on Mburu’s attempt to record his second consecutive F2 victory in Kisumu after a successful result in the 2010 KCB Safari Rally.

His childhood friend now turned navigator, Kigondu Kareithi leads the co-drivers’ championship with 42 points.

Kigondu is followed by Julie Mureithi in the second place with 36 points. She is the only female driver currently partipating in the KNRC.