Kenya: Bharij Hopes Up

Nairobi Star (Nairobi)

Samson Ateka

13 June 2011

Former Kenyan Pirelli Star prospect Raaji Singh Bharij and his partner Raju Chagger are working round the clock to get their Subaru machine in good condition for the weekend’s KCB Safari Rally.

The ex-Susheel Shah N10 has had a thorough going- over and is now ready for the Safari except for the usual bits and bobs that never end. “We are very positive ahead of the rally and strongly believe it will be a good one for us. Our dream finish would be a top five in the Safari given the sheer amount of competition there will be,” said Bharij. “After some strong finishes last year which included an eighth overall in Meru, fourth overall in the Nairobi rally, sixth overall and being top Sikh crew in the Guru Nanak, Wladoil took us on as a Team car,” he said. “We are extremely happy to be part of the Team and are looking forward to proving our worth with a good sponsor behind us,” Raaji added.

“I have done only a few Kenya National Rally Championship rounds in my career, but our strong showing on those events have meant we qualified for the Pirelli finals, and moved from Division Three to Division One in one year, something we are very proud of. The plan for this year is to gain as much experience as possible in all the rallies and record our first podium finish. This will put us in a very strong position for the 2012 season as we will have seen more rallies and terrain and gained the all important experience in the KNRC.”

Raaji said focus this year will be to ensure they stay in Division One having been recently promoted. “This is the elite group and it is a privilege to be in it. “Running an older car than anyone in Division One, and with less experience I guess I would have to say that I am on the lower end of Division One. I drive the oldest car in Division One, with the newer machinery and great drivers very hard to match or beat.”

Raaji’s focus is to get the best out of the car “and ourselves and catch the guys right in front of us namely Alex Horsey, Quentin Mitchel and Jas Mangat.”

Meanwhile members of the public can keep abreast of the 2011 KCB Safari Rally in ‘real time’, thanks to an innovative online tracking link by Car Track Limited. Car Track, who are co-sponsoring “the world’s toughest rally” , will be streaming the event live on their website (www.cartrack.co.ke) in conjunction with internet service providers- iWay Africa.

To access, one is required to click on the rally link that will offer instructions on how to use the system. James Kahonge, the Car Track sales and marketing manager is quite optimistic that the tracking setup “keeps improving by event. “Car Track will be monitoring the movement of all 79 cars (on transport road sections and competitive stages) from Rally Headquarters at the Kenyatta Internmational Conference Centre. Kahonge said tracking of rally cars will not only enhance safety of the crew, “but will earn the country considerable points in FIA’s score- card as Kenya seek to bid for World Rally Championship candidature in 2013.

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