Tejas Hirani and Raaji Bharij were in imperious form as the sixth round of the KMSC
National Autocross championship culminated in awesome fashion at East Africa
Portland Cement racetrack in Athi River on Sunday.
Bharij won the 2WD Turbo buggy class while Gurraj Singh claimed his maiden win in
the Quads Class.
The quad class albeit missing the presence of Shazar Anwar attracted 5 entries.
After the most amazing month of experiences in Europe, defending Two Wheel Drive
Non-Turbo Champion Tejas won his fourth race of the season and set the event’s
overall Fastest Time of the Day (FTD) in a magnificent heat 2 run that he cleared in
1.53.70 minutes.
Tejas is fresh from finishing 2nd overall in the British National Rally-Cross
Championship.
“It’s a great day of racing. I won the 2wd non turbo class and fastest vehicle
overall by 24 seconds. It was a great track – very fast – very slippery and tricky.
Thanks to sponsors Team Magic,” said Tejas who now proceeds to Rally Raid action in
Nanyuki this weekend.
“I’m really looking forward to it and getting together with new navigator Gavin
Laurence,” added Tejas.
Ryan Bailey won Bambino class but bore the full brunt of Jadini Nzomo who’s spirited
run was stymied with penalties and an off that almost ripped off the front left tyre
of his bambino.
Jadini set the quickest time in the early morning practice heat and beat Ryan by 1
second in the first heat.
Jadini who also drives in the RVM&SC Karting set the quickest time in heat two but
then dropped to third fastest after a 4 seconds penalty was imposed for hitting a
tape. Ryan had two fastest heat runs in heat 2 and 4 whist Sean Smith set the
quickest time in heat 3.
Another fastest time in heat 3 by Jadini was stymied by a further 2 seconds penalty.
“The track was really challenging. We had a good fight with Ryan but misfortunes took
toll on my driving. I hope to win the next round of the series,” said Nzomo who is
brother to karting star Amani Nzomo.
Ryan admitted he was nervous at some point, adding: “I was thinking my bambino would stop at some point.” Ryan has served his fourth win of the season and above all
consolidating his lead in Bambino Class.
Round 3 winner Rio Smith finished the Bambino class second but candidly admitted that it had not been a good day position-wise.
“I have learnt quite a lot today (Sunday) on cornering and how to tackle rocky stretches,” said Rio.
Raaji Bharij was all smiles and enjoyed every bit of a rear wheel drive he has not
driven since his early days of the 2WD Alfa Romeo. He raced in Pinal Patel’s buggy
and thanked him for allowing him race on it.
“It was a very successful weekend all round. Much to my surprise, we won the hotly
contested 2wd Turbo Buggy class given that I only got into the buggy yesterday
(Sunday). I’m really pleased with the result. So that’s one more event to add to
the ticked list, and the best part of the day was hitting the KES 75,000 mark in
respect to the amount raised for the ‘Save the Elephants” campaign. Next on the
list- I’m on 2 wheels for the first time so I will be taking part in motocross,”
said Raaji.
