By GWEN CHIPASULA –
CHAMPION Muna Singh Junior has vowed to retain his National Rally Championship (NRC) title.
But Muna Junior, who won the weekend second leg dubbed Alliance Motors Barn rally, will not have it easy as he has competition from his household where his father Muna Singh senior and brother Jassy are the strongest competitors he has to deal with.
Muna timed 54 minutes 41 seconds to win the weekend rally ahead of his father, who clocked 55 minutes 35 seconds as Kleevan Gomes was third with a time of 59 minutes 23 seconds.
In fourth place was Yazadaan Ticklay who timed an hour and 21 seconds, followed by Herminder Singh on one hour one minute and 21 seconds, Kumaren Naidu posted one hour two minutes and seven seconds and Tanweer Dala in seventh place finished in one hour seven minutes and 10 seconds.
Veteran Azim Ticklay was eighth after clocking one hour nine minutes and seven seconds with Aadil Gelu on one hour 10 minutes and 15 seconds as Ismail Shermohama timed one hour 10minutes and 19 seconds.
Leeroy Gomes completed the top 11 list of drivers that finished the race from the 25 that started after timing one hour 27 minutes and 26 seconds.
The victory left Muna Junior in second position on the NRC drivers log on 35 points while his father leads with 58 points.
He said in an interview that he was happy to have defeated his teacher and will fight on to retain the title.
“I was so happy to defeat him (Muna Singh senior). He is my major competitor right now and just having to beat my teacher feels so good, I will definitely catch up with him,” Muna Junior said.
Muna senior, who had a target of finishing the competition in top three, said his eyes are still fixed on lifting the national title at the end of the season despite losing the second rally to his son.
The veteran driver said he is confident that he will catch up by winning the next rally and maintain the lead as there are a number of championships remaining before the national rally comes to an end.
“I congratulate my son for winning the rally. The car I am racing in at the moment is not as good as those that my competitors are using. But I will get used to it soon,” he said.
Meanwhile, former African and national champion Jassy has warned both his father and brother that he will be back to compete in the next race.
Jassy, who is yet to compete this year, said in an interview that he is ready for the next round of the national motor rally championship.
“We have finished working on the car and I am almost ready. Definitely we will compete in the third round because it will also be the Zambia International Rally,” he said.
The next rally which will also be the Zambia International Rally is set for May 27 to 29.