

The showdown between Alex Lairangi and Eric Bengi will be the ultimate battle when the Kenya National Rally Championship (KNRC) curtains come down this weekend during the Guru Nanak rally in Naivasha.
Bengi leads the race between the two aces in a close contest that has seen the 2 Wheel Drive (2WD) category championship decider go down to the wire.
It is a situation Bengi, who drives a Toyota Runx, believes has added more flair to the KNRC season as well as pushing him to limit.
“This season has really been tough because the races have been harder, and also the level of competition has gone a step higher. Lairangi has really challenged and this has made the championship better and interesting,” Bengi told Citizen Digital.
Lairangi who drives a Toyota Sprinter GT has set his eyes firmly on the prize saying he is not terrified of the man who mentored his early racing career although he wary of the 13-point gap between them.
“He’s been my mentor from when I started racing, he is the reason I am here now. But it’s the title on the line, and for that reason I will unleash all my weapons to ensure I defeat him,” Lairangi underscores.
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Amid the ongoing rains that have added a challenging twist to the competition, the two drivers reckon the weather has only served as an added advantage having been acquainted with the generally rainy weather at the Meru region where they both hail from.
However, a change in tact has had to come into play for both drivers in their bids to manage their successful navigation through the harsh conditions
“I have adopted a slower strategy, and focusing on the championship points, instead of risking the possibility of crashing out, which can cost me the championship”. He explains to Citizen Digital.
Bengi only needs to finish in the top six places for him to be crowned the champion, while Lairangi will need to finish first, and hope that Bengi clocks outside the top six or crash out of the race altogether for him to stand a chance of winning the coveted prize.
Meanwhile in the 4 Wheel Drive (4WD) category the already crowned champion Tapio Laukannen will be aiming for a strong finish to a season he has hardly been rivaled. The rally will be held on volcanic ash terrain in Soysambu Conservancy and Naivasha’s Aberdare Hills Golf Resort which has been designated as the spectator viewing point.
Six-time winner of the Guru Nanak editon Ian Duncan will be looking to maintain the good run in the edition, while other elite drivers from the country, including Jaspreet Chatte, Carl “flash” Tundo and Baldev Chager will be battling for top podium places in the season finale.
Entry List-KCB Guru Nanak Rally
-Report by Alex Kinyua.
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