The Frank Tundo Crush, Events That Shaped The Rally Day

By Soko Directory Team / Published May 13, 2022 | 11:56 am

Despite overshooting a hairpin Frank Tundo navigated by Gareth Dawe survived and kept rallying. Photo Credit: Kevin Gitimu

As the drivers entered into competitive racing without knowing the route, they were in for a real treat. We drove on the tarmac into the rough road.

Yes, we got lost. As we quickly familiarized ourselves with our surroundings, we were at the sleeping warrior, a place of romance as the yellow sun rays, woke the warrior and made the wildlife look like a mirage.

I remembered the reactions from some of the drivers who participated in the 2021 ARC and WRC Safari Rally 2021 and laughter warmed my heart.

The temperatures were high by the sides of the road; teams had set service points by the roadside. It was the high spirits of the teams that set my enthusiasm.

Roadside service/ Stage Eburru- Elementaita/ Team Tuthil Porsche Car 43/Ken Block/ Photo Credit: Author.

It was all admirations for the unsung heroes as we spoke to one of the mechanics from Ken Block’s team after stage one who told us that it was rough but they were making sure that the car was tip top and was hoping to have a good run.

As we drove off to TC 2 the classic drivers embarked on transport, a few seconds into our drive, the engines of rally cars could be heard from a distance.

TC2 POROR TO KIPSAOS 87.17km

The stage was a reawakening of the old Safari Rally the Sights and Sounds of Kerio Valley, filled with rally action and endurance through God’s Bridge.

The drive-in itself was an experience. It was a steep single track with bends. I told myself what a beautiful way to travel. The captivating views made me want to pull over and absorb the dramatic, very exquisite sceneries.

The day ended with a magnificent sign from Ken Block, when I asked him which stage was most challenging “the middle stage (Poror to Kipsaos) I got a puncture with about 30kms to go, I had to manage the tires and manage the speed”

Ken Block Service point Eburru-Elementaita Stage/Photo Credit: Author

A laugh with one of the Rally dynasties family Frank Tundo, when I asked him was a delay call on the left “it was just my mistake really it was still too early, we had only started just left a few minutes ago, I was still settling down, I think he called it…well he did call it I never took any notice and when he did call it again and said it’s there I quickly put my hand brake on but I was a bit too late so it went into the ditch”. Got to love an honest answer.

Some of the “spectacular” images of Frank Tundo landing into a ditch:

Despite overshooting a hairpin Frank Tundo navigated by Gareth Dawe survived and kept rallying.

*The Author is Wairimu Nyathira, a Sports Writer based in Nairobi.*

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