Teen rally sensation Amaan Ganatra will be the star attraction when engines roar to life at the Kasarani Super Special Stage (SSS) racetrack for the sixth round and penultimate leg of the Shell National Auto X and Auto X Plus Championships on October 10-11.
Ganatra has shown strong pace throughout the season and hopes to carry that momentum into another competitive weekend as the championship battle enters its decisive phase. “I am just going to take the event as it comes,” Ganatra said.
The youngster noted that going wheel-to-wheel with some of the fastest drivers in the field has given him an extra edge and provided motivation to keep going.
“The competition has been really good this year, and racing against fast drivers pushes everyone to improve,” he said.
However, one notable absentee from the penultimate round will be Neel Gohil, who will sit out Round Six as he begins the next chapter of his academic career at university.
Neel, a consistent front-runner throughout the championship, admitted that missing the Kasarani showdown is disappointing, but promised to keep a close eye on the action remotely. “Obviously I am disappointed that I won’t be there, but university is the next chapter for me, and I have to give it the attention it deserves. I want to wish all the competitors the very best at Kasarani,” Neel said.
Ganatra, who has gone toe-to-toe with Neel on the circuit this season, expects the battle to remain fiercely contested despite his rival’s absence.
“Neel won’t be there this time, but that doesn’t make the event any easier.”
Among other competitors entered for the upcoming leg are Myles O’Neal in the Alpha Junior Buggy Class, with Allan Bengi, Sean Njumbi and Mohamed Rayyan set to line up in the Beta Junior Non-Turbo Buggy class. The Cadet Junior Non-Turbo Buggy class features Eann Bengi, Andrea Tundo and Aayan Azim. Nazim Shah, Leo Kangethe and Amal Shah are expected to spearhead the Senior Non-Turbo Buggy class.
In the 2WD Non-Turbo Senior Car class, the field includes Michuki Hinga, Adriano Varese and Tariq Rashid, as the 4WD Turbo Car Restrictor class will see Ankush Shah, Amaan Ganatra and Tinashe Gatimu take to the start line.
The Open Class will feature Mombasa-based Javed Lota and Junaid Shah.
According to 254 Motorsports Club chairman Sushil Gohil, Round Six is designed to deliver both fierce competition and an engaging spectacle for fans as the championship reaches its business end. “Round Six comes at a crucial point in the championship when the competition is getting tougher. Every point counts now,” Gohil said.
