Eric Bengi Leads 7-70 Motorsport To Victory In Inaugural Nairobi Rallycross Event
NAIROBI, Kenya – Team 7-70 Motorsport emerged as overall winners of the Betika Rallycross as the event made its Nairobi debut. The 5th iteration of the circuit racing event took place at the Super Spectator Stage in Kasarani, Nairobi on the 18th and 19th of November 2023. The 7-70 Motorsport team consisted of Eann and Allan Bengi in the Cubs category, cinematographer-turned-racer Ishmael Azeli in the RX Open Category and Caroline Gatimu, former Kenya Division One and reigning Autocross 4WD Turbo Autocrosses champion Eric Bengi, Rajveer Thethy, Eric Bengi, and Charan Thethy in the RX Team Category. The team tallied 19 points to take the top spot, 2 points ahead of Team Soli Cyprus Gin, which picked up 17 points. 7-70 Motorsport B, Betika, and Team Africa Eco Services Motorsports rounded off the rest of the standings, respectively.
In their ranks, Team Soli Cyprus Gin had WRC3 Safari Rally Winner Maxine Wahome in the Ladies’ category, Africa Junior and ARC2 champion Hamza ‘Problem Child’ Anwar in the Junior category, Multiple Kenya National Rally Championship winner and East Africa Safari Classic Rally winner Baldev Chager in the Champion category and Ron Oakley in the Legend category.
Winners in other categories included Yuvraj Rajput in the RX Cubs category, Jose Sardinha in the RX 2WD category, and Five-time Safari Rally winner and 2021 ARC Champion Carl ‘Flash’ Tundo in the RX Open Category. In the Junior Team Event, Hamza Anwar was pipped to the top spot by Rajveer Thethy, son of Former Kenya Two Wheel Drive Champion Charan Thethy.
Betika sponsored side consisting of promising rally ace Jennifer Malik in the Ladies’ category, two-time Champagne Park 4×4 champion Andrew Muiruri in the Champion category, 2016 Africa Rally Championship (ARC) navigator champion Bob Kaugi in the Legend category, and John Kadivane in the Junior category.
The rain-beaten tarmac, dirt, and gravel combination track presented a huge challenge to participants throughout the events, with multiple retirements and DNSs (did not start) a frequent occurrence throughout the event.
Speaking on the event, Tim Jessop, event co-convener and renowned in Kenyan motorsport as an innovator and as Flash Tundo’s navigator, expressed his joy as he marked the conclusion of the event series: “We are happy with the success that this event, a brainchild of myself and Flash, has been. We say a huge congratulations to the winners, a huge thank you to the sponsors, and forward to doing it all over again next year.”
About Betika!
Betika! is not just a sports betting company; it is a beacon of support for sports across Africa. With a strong presence in nine African nations and its headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya, Betika! is synonymous with excellence, both in football and athletics. The company’s dedication to fostering athletic talent and promoting healthy competition is evident through its series of successful sporting events.
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