Arusha driver Sandhu tops standing in NRC title race
Arusha driver Gurpal Sandhu in action during the recently concluded Kisarawe Rally. PHOTO | COURTESY
What you need to know:
- Despite facing stiff opposition and challenging terrains, he held his nerve to secure a podium spot, further building on points he had collected earlier in the season.
Dar es Salaam. Arusha’s rally ace Gurpal Sandhu has surged to the top of the National Rally Championship (NRC) standings after collecting an impressive 52 points in the ongoing season.
Sandhu secured a crucial third-place finish at the recently concluded Rally of Kisarawe, earning 24 valuable points that have solidified his lead.
The Rally of Kisarawe was one of the most anticipated and action-packed events of the season, and Sandhu’s performance proved his consistency and determination in the competition.
Despite facing stiff opposition and challenging terrains, he held his nerve to secure a podium spot, further building on points he had collected earlier in the season.
Defending champion Manveer Birdi, who was tipped by many to dominate this year again, currently sits in second place with 35 points.
Birdi gained all his points during the Iringa Rally but failed to finish in Kisarawe due to mechanical issues with his car, a setback that allowed his rivals to narrow the gap and even catch up. Interestingly, Birdi is now tied on points with his fellow competitor, Randeep Birdi, who emerged victorious at the Kisarawe Rally.
Randeep’s win earned him 35 points in one swoop, placing him firmly in contention for the championship title as the season progresses.
Meanwhile, famous driver Dharam Pandya and Shehzad Munge are in joint fourth place, each with 24 points. Both drivers have shown flashes of brilliance this season and remain in the hunt, especially if the current leaders falter in upcoming rallies. Following closely behind are Walid Nahdi and Arsh Somji, both with 21 points. Their consistent performances have kept them within striking distance of the top five. With several races still to come, these two could easily climb higher if they maintain their pace.
Iringa’s own rally icon, Hamid Mbatta, is also part of the tight race for points, tied at 18 with Zaneal Somji. Both drivers have shown resilience on the tracks and remain hopeful of climbing up the standings in the remaining rounds. Ismail Thariya has managed to collect 15 points so far, showing steady improvement, while Charles Bicco rounds out the top scorers with 13 points to his name.
As the NRC season reaches its halfway point, competition remains fierce with only a few points separating key drivers. With multiple races ahead, the title remains wide open.
However, for now, Gurpal Sandhu stands tall at the summit, a target on his back as challengers gear up to dethrone him in the coming weeks.
The next round of the NRC is expected to intensify the battle, with fans eagerly watching to see if Sandhu can maintain his lead or if the Birdis and other top drivers will close the gap.
