Samman wins season opener in Eldoret Rally

Samman Vohra swept the ground with all his opponents today to win the season-opening Eldoret Rally clearing six stages in a time of 1h17m37s.

Driving a Skoda Fabia Rally2 and navigated by Alfir Khan, Nairobi-based youngster beat reigning Kenya champion Jasmeet Chana (Mitsubishi Lancer B13) 1.33.000minutes.

The Reigning Uganda and Tanzania Rally champion Yasin Nasser came in third also in a Ford Fiesta.

Nasser, a two times Uganda champion in 2019 and 2023, is hoping to deliver an unprecedented hat-trick this season by being the first rally driver to win all elite championship titles in the three East African countries.

Samman, who previously competed in local Rally Raid and Autocross events, is hoping to seal a maiden career Kenya National rally Championship title in 2024.

 “The objective for the year is to just keep on improving our pace rally by rally. The car has gone through a major strip down and rebuild and we are chuffed to emerge the winners in the season opener. We are also doing the Safari and we hope the car performs.”

Ian Duncan, navigated by Jaspal Matharu in a Nissan Patrol pickup came in fourth overall, also winning the SPV (Specially Prepared Vehicles) Category.

Another home driver Joey Ghose finished sixth overall behind the wheel of a Porsche 911, coming in first in the Classic Car category.

The WRC Safari Rally will count as the second round of the KNRC on the weekend of March 28-31. The Kenyan round of the FIA African Rally Championship (Equator) will also count towards KNRC points.

This year’s Equator Rally Kenya, initially scheduled for October, will now be held four months earlier in June.