By Yvonne Sakala –
NATIONAL Rally Champion Muna Singh junior says nothing will stop him from winning the season opening Zambia Motor Sport Association (ZMSA) Madmax rally that revs off today at Waterfalls Farms opposite Barn Motel on the great north road.
The Madmax rally has attracted 22 drivers jostling for honours with Mina junior feeling happy he will not have to deal with his elder brother Jassy and his father Muna senior, both former winners of the national title.
Muna jr, who has opted not to enter for the 2017 Africa Rally Championship (ARC) due to lack of sponsorship, says his focus will be on the local circuit.
It is because of that that he feels he should not give away chance to win local titles adding with a new navigator, Zunaid Khan, the title should head back to his home.
“ I am 100 percent ready for the championship, thanks to Gomes Haulage and Samfuel and Automotive Performance Centre. My car is in tip-top condition, I have a new navigator this year so I will be cautious in the beginning, but that will not stop me from saying my aim is to win the rally,” he said.
He predicted a tough competition and singled out Leroy Gomes as his main opponent to especially after the Ndola driver acquired a new Mitsubishi Evo 10.
Among the notable drivers taking part are Zubair Essa, Kleeven Gomes, Vyon Pinto, and veteran driver Azim Ticklay.
“I know there is stiff competition but my main threat this year Jassy Singh is not taking part due to his shocks not arriving in time, Leroy is the one I should watch out for especially with his new car,” he said.
And Clerk of Course Elmandy Gumboh said all was set for the rally and that prior to the qualifying stage, there will be an official flag-off ceremony outside Madmax Motor Spares shop at 15:00hrs.
Gumboh said the qualifying stage, at the Waterfalls Farms, will cover almost 2km.
He said on Sunday, the main rally at Graham Rae Farm in Chisamba will have eight stages with a total distance of the first leg standing at 50.84km and the second leg covering another 50.84km.