Drivers Izhar, Paras set to return ahead of ARC Equator Rally
By edwin-otieno, March 30, 2022
Paras Pandya and Izhar Mirza are set to return from sabbatical after months of inactivity.
The Mombasa-based duo has signed up for ARC Equator Rally Kenya slated for Naivasha on Saturday and Sunday.
It will be held on the outskirts of Naivasha town and will serve as the third round of the Kenya National Rally Championship (KNRC) after Nakuru and Il-Bisil rallies.
It will also count towards the seco round of the FIA African Rally Championship after Rallye Bandama of Ivory Coast.
Izhar is exuding confidence and hoping to dust off a few cobwebs prior to the event.
“I have not sat in my rally car since WRC Safari Rally last year. I took a sabbatical after the event to also concentrate on work given the tough Covid-19 situation. I can’t wait to get back in the saddle as this event will serve as a dry run for the WRC event slated for June,” said Izhar who will be piloting a Coast Pekee Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X.
Paras, on the other hand, is equally in upbeat mood. He is currently fine-tuning his Synergy Gases Racing Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X at Baldev Chager’s BHP Performance Workshop in Nairobi’s Spring Valley to ensure that it is in good nick well in time.
Asked if he feels rusty after the long break, Paras said he is as fit as a fiddle and good to go for the event.
“I have not competed in a national event since last year but what better way to blow away the cobwebs than getting back to the bucket seat of a Mitsubishi? I’m overly excited to be back and looking forward to some seat time this season.”
Paras went on: “The car is fine. Just awaiting final checks by Boldy (Baldev Chager) this week The last National last rally I did was Ramisi in 2021. And then again we just did our Club Rally recently in Mombasa, so we are not rusty.”
Equator Rally has attracted current ARC leader Leroy Gomes of Zambia ina Ford Fiesta-R2 and Uganda’s Amaanraj Rai in a Skoda, Giancarlo Davite of Rwandan has also entered the event in a Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X.
The FIA African Rally Championship (the equivalent of AFCON in football) was run for the first time in 1981. It features an all-gravel calendar with events taking place against a backdrop of stunning landscapes across the continent’s Sub-Saharan region.