By GWEN CHIPASULA –
MUNA Singh Junior was on Sunday crowned the 2015 Zambia Motor Sport Association (ZMSA) National Rally champion after winning the season-closing Barn Rally.
Muna, who pocketed K4,000, clocked 70 minutes 17 seconds to emerge the Barn Rally winner and scoop his first-ever national championship.
The N16 R4 Subaru driver, who also won the Class A championship, was declared overall winner of the 2015 ZMSA National Rally Championship after obtaining 147 points.
Muna, the Samfuel Rally winner last month, beat 21 other participants, including his father Muna Senior who crushed out in the fifth stage.
The 19-year-old ace driver said the next thing now was to focus on defending his title next year but ruled out taking part in the African Rally Championship.
“I am happy to win my first championship. I am now trying to switch focus to next year and win this title again. But sadly I shall not take part in the African rally championship because I do not have enough recourses for that,” he said.
Muna, who topped all the seven stages of the national championship, said he was happy that his co-driver Adrian Sutherland and himself maintained their consistency throughout the legs.
The event, which was supposed to have eight stages, only had seven because of floods on the roads.
Copperbelt-based driver Chibula Kapala, finished the Barn Rally on 73 minutes 40 seconds to grab the second position and earn himself K3,000.
Kapala also won the Class B title and got rewarded K1,000 while Class C was won by Mayor Patel.
Leroy Gomes was third overall at the Barn Rally after racing to the finishing line in 75 minutes seven seconds to walk away with K2,000.
Kelvin Mhlange was fourth overall on 76 minutes two seconds and won himself K1,000 prize money.
Farook Ticklay, who is standing on 92 points in Class A, crashed out in third stage after a wheel damage.