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Three times Safari Rally winner Carl 'Flash' Tundo is optimistic of better reliability when the KCB Nyeri Rally revs off the 2012 season on the weekend of February 4-5.
With the likes of Ian Duncan, Baldev Chager and Alastair Cavenagh on his mind, the two times former Kenya champion (2007 and 2009) also looks towards a scintillating family showdown with his father Frank Tundo who has plans to acquire a new EVO9 car.
Tundo, who is teaming up with Tim Jessop in a Mitsubishi Lancer Evo9, disclosed that he will be aiming to win the 2012 Kenya National Rally Championship.
'If I can’t win for some reason then I need to concentrate more on finishing. This time, I will try and get our reliability better and finish all the rallies,' he said.
'Not finishing really killed my chances of the championship last year. There is a new Evo9 in the pipeline so Dad (Frank Tundo) can do some more rallying and it should be here by the second rally,' Tundo added.
Asked what the top drivers should expect from Dalbit Rally team in 2012, Tundo continued. 'Same as always — excitement, fast driving and hopefully better reliability and more wins. Baldev (Chager) will be one of the drivers to watch now that has come to grips with his N16 Subaru,' he said.
'I think he (Chager) is the leading contender to beat the Mitsubishis in his Subaru. But I still think he is at a disadvantage being in a Subaru. Let us see,' he added.
Frank Tundo stunned all and sundry in Mombasa when he returned from sabbatical to secure a credible fifth place.
Despite not winning the championship last year, Tundo and his teammate Alastair Cavenagh had a good consolation as the Dalbit Team beat all in the stages whenever they had a good run.
'Yes, it was a good consolation but no one remembers stage times in the record books. Cavenagh and I are very happy with our stage times,' said Tundo.
The last time Carl Tundo raced was during the 2011 East African KQ Safari Classic when he navigated Alastair in a Ford Escort Mk1 and they got caught in flash floods.
Enjoyed the ride
'I really enjoyed it and the ride with Cavenagh. It was interesting to see our different driving styles and being in an old car. It was great fun and a serious adventure even with all the problems we suffered. It also proved to me that navigating is easy,' he observed.
After wedding last December, Tundo was a mere spectator in the KCB Mtaani Rally in Mariakani.
'I would have preferred to be doing the event rather than watching but was really impressed at how well they did (Frank and Tash) and to see the excitement on dad’s face after 25yrs was brilliant. I think we might see more of him in the future,' Tundo said.
Tundo is excited that a new crop of lower KNRC ranks have developed the guts to contest strong podium positions. A good example is Hardeep Rehsi who led the KCB Guru Nanak Rally after stage two, Imran Mogul who retired on stage four, while leading in Mombasa Rally), Onkar Rai who was third in Mombasa and of course the Horseys — Peter and Alex.
'I think it is fantastic for the sport that new blood is coming in and being competitive. They are the future of rallying in Kenya and it is about time we had our behinds kicked. We are all looking forward to seeing what they can do. If we can get all of them competing for wins, it will make the championship much more exciting. They will have to fight for it though,' said Tundo.
Tundo, who recently quit the bachelors club, sounded quite enthusiastic.
'I am very excited about what this new chapter in my life will bring,' he said.
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