Kenya’s Manvir Baryan and Drew Sturrock from Scotland are the 2017 African Rally champions.
But the duo had no earlier intentions to take on this year’s ARC title chase. Victory in June’s Pearl of Africa Uganda rally gave the Multiple Rally Team crew the much needed boost to go all out for the and chase for the coveted title.
“It’s true we never intended to take on the whole ARC season, not until when [we] won the Uganda rally. We had no way out after the whole crew was in for it,” says Baryan.
The Multiple racing team (MRT) covered only five of the season’s seven rounds winning four of them in Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda and Zambia. The crew managed third place in their home event; the Kenya Safari rally.
Manvir/Sturrock secured their maiden ARC title with 115 points; 35 points more than second placed Leroy Gomes and Urshlla Gomes from Zambia.
The crew attributes their victory to consistency.
“The championship was a combination of so many things. But consistence was the major aspect to our victory.
“We were not taking risks. We had to take on some events cautiously to maintain the consistency till the last event,” said Sturrock.
Despite facing stiff competition from other crews, the newly crowned champions say their car; a Skoda Fabia was only a small part of their success.
“We plan most of our strategy outside the car, and we just apply it during the race. But it doesn’t mean that the car is not good,” asserts Baryan.
“The car is a real weapon. And rallying is a sport were the best machines wins.
“But it is a combination of the car and the crew. Because we have seen drivers with the same car in other countries struggling in competitions,” added Sturrock.
The MRT crew won 36 of the 50 stages from the five championship rounds they participated in. Sturrock however feels the 2017 championship was something to cherish.
Each event had its own unique features. From the organisations, routes some being sandy and others so rough. It has been an exciting season all together.
“And becoming a champion in Africa is a plus to my CV. But I generally feel more happy to have raced in parts of Africa,” he said.
“All the events were definitely great. But Uganda remains the favourite. The fan base in Uganda is so tempting. I wish to do another event in Uganda again,” added Baryan.
Manvir Baryan and Drew Sturrock partnered together in 2013.