Soysambu, Gilgil, Kenya, April 24, 2021—Multiple Safari Rally winner Carl “Flash” Tundo has taken command in the battle of R5 category after the conclusion of Leg 1’s first loop of the ARC Equator Rally in Naivasha from 11:30 EAT.
On his very first outing in the Minti Motorsport VW Polo R5 he acquired four days ago, Tundo quickly adopted to the car, claiming the event’s first three stages at the expansive Soysambu Conservancy on this morning.
Tundo savoured a 1.05.2 minutes lead over Onkar Rai driving a mechanically equivalent machine in the 14.67km Elementaita 1 run which he cleared in 11.04.1 minutes.
Tundo was at it again on the preceding 20.233km Soysambu stage where he beat Onkar and South African Guy Botterill by 35.7 and 56.3 seconds respectively.
Tundo was again peerless on the rocky 30.98km Sleeping Warrior stage after Onkar suffered a second puncture. He beat VW Polo’s Tejveer Rai by a massive 1.59.9 margin.
Tundo was all smiles at the Mixed Zone flash interview session and said; “It’s pretty rough and wet. I enjoy wet rallies. I am enjoying the new car and getting the hang of it. I would say it’s still early days but we are doing okay.
Onkar was not as upbeat but was hopeful, saying; “It’s a bit of an unfortunate situation, it’s part of rallying. It happens. We picked up two punctures, one in the first stage and the other in the second stage. We then broke the control arm in the rough section.”