Tanzania envoy hailed after stellar show in WRC

NAIROBI: TANZANIAN envoy Yassin Nasser has been hailed for the stellar performance after finishing third in the World Rally Championship held in Kenya over the weekend.

Navigated by Ugandan Ally Katumba, Nasser powered his Ford Fiesta to the third place, finishing behind Kenyans; Jeremiah Wahome and Carl Tundo

“Congratulations Moil Team, You did it,” echoed Hidaya Kimanga, Iringa Motor Sports Club official , Hidaya Kimanga.

The Chairman of Tanzania Motorsports Commission, Satinder Birdi also hailed the Tanzanian envoy for the impressive performance against the world-level drivers.

Birdi, who was in Nairobi representing the Automobile Association of Tanzania, said Yassin Nasser did a wonderful driving that heighten Tanzanian status in the motorsports scene.

Nasser, under the navigation of Ugandan co-driver clocked 6 hours, 37 minutes and 19 seconds to finish third overall.

At World Rally Championship level, the Tanzanian envoy finished at 16th place.

Kenya’s veteran driver Carl Tundo and his navigator Tim Jessop won the event in the African Rally Championship’s category using 5 hours, 29 minutes and 32 seconds in Ford Fiesta. Tundo claimed 14th place at the WRC standings.

Second-placed Jeremia Wahome spent 5 hours, 49 minutes and 32 seconds.

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Fourth overall prize went to Vohra Singh who clocked 6:37:19 as Nikhil Sachania was fifth after spending 6:53:59.

The fifth position went to Minesh Rathod who clocked 7:03:36.

The WRC event saw Elfyn Evans clinching a historic Safari Rally Kenya victory to earn a back to back victory putting him in big lead at the at the title race.

The Toyota Gazoo driver travelled to Kenya with rally Sweden victory on his bad. Luck was on his side in Kenya when he survived the event toughness to secure the win of 1min, 9.9secs.

“I want to say thank you to everyone in Kenya for a very warm welcome. An amazing rally, I have to say. Huge well done to the team – they did an amazing job, and I’m proud to be a very small part of Toyota’s history on this incredible rally,” said excited Evans.

Hyundai’s Ott Tanak who lead the rally on Friday took advantage of the rivals misfortunes to elevate to the second position overall.

Thierry Neuville who suffered a series of penalties, never lost motivation eventually completing the podium dash in third.

Tanak and Neuville podium finishes becomes Hyundai’s best-ever result in Kenya.

Sami Pajari secured the forth place after his teammate Takamoto Katsuta’s event woes ended with a roll at the power stage to end all his hope to a finish.

Gregory Munster with all the mechanical issues, managed to complete a top five.