WRC Safari Rally: Pandya, Bhojak raring to hit road

Edwin  Otieno

Paras Pandya of Synergy Gases Racing has pronounced himself ready for the WRC Safari Rally set for June 24 - 27. 

The Mombasa-based driver has been putting final touches to his preparations with verve and vigour.

He says his debut in a WRC Safari setting is a dream come true.

Paras is among four drivers from the Coast region entered for the event. Others from the Mombasa Motor Club (MMC) stable are Izhar Mirza, Piero Cannobio and Team Nanak youngster Sohanjeet Singh Puee.

“There is a palpable sense of excitement among team members. Everyone is looking forward to the WRC event with great expectations.

We have done meticulous preparations for the car over the past three weeks and we are hoping to get behind the wheel of our Evolution X with the much needed gusto and excitement,” Paras said, 

He added: “We can’t wait to brush shoulders with Priority 1 drivers; the likes of world champion Sebastien Ogier, Elfyn Evans, Takamoto Kasuta, Thierry Neuville and Ott Tanak. Although we are not eligible to compete in the same category with them, being in the same event together is a dream come true.”

 Paras will be navigated by his longstanding navigator Falgun Bhojak from Nairobi. 

 Being a KNRC Division One driver and the most active driver from the coast, Paras is hoping to bring his car to the finish.

 Asked about his planned Safari aspirations,  Paras said: “Our team members and fans will be more than excited to see our car back on the finish ramp. So we are not going to let them down.

But again, it is the Safari Rally. It’s never over until it’s over. We hope the rally God’s will be on our side and also lady luck to smile on us.”

Paras’ co-driver is also overly excited with their Safari entry.

“We have been working very hard to get the car up to 100 per cent  after the Nakuru Rally which was very technical and tough and took a toll on the car.

However, Paras drove very well and had a lot of driver’s sympathy on the car as it was needed to achieve a good finishing position. 

Due to the current situation and work commitments we were unable to do the ARC Equator Rally but have been preparing for the WRC and we are ready to go.”

Paras’ car has been  meticulously fine-tuned by rally ace Baldev Chager at BHP Performance workshop in Nairobi.

The WRC Safari Rally Kenya is cosponsored by KCB Bank Kenya and Toyota Kenya among others.