CARL ‘FLASH’ TUNDO PROFILE – KBC

Carl “Flash” Tundo was born on December 11 1973 in Nairobi.He is a five times winner of the Safari Rally.In 2009 he was crowned champion of the Intercontinental Rally Challenge, making him the first and only Kenyan winner of an IRC round.His co-driver has been Tim Jessop since 2002.He competed twice in the WRC Safari Rally, in 1995 and in 2002.

His father Frank Tundo was wheat farmer in Nakuru and reputable rally driver who savoured a feel of the works team cars when the country was blessed with world-beaters in the WRC Safari Rally.

“I learnt to drive when we were farming up in Maralal from about 15 years and before that, I rode motorbikes from about six years.

The advantage of living on a farm in remote areas is that you get the chance to learn riding and driving much earlier.

My father (Frank) made us a small track to drive around. He inspired me and I grew up with him rallying from the day I was born. We have always had a rally car in the yard and his enthusiasm rubbed off on me,” Tundo says.

In April this year, the 47 year old outclassed his rivals to win the Equator Rally by one of the biggest margins in the history of the competition.

“I can’t remember winning a rally by such a big margin of 12 minutes.

“It was a great event with the right type of stages.
“It was very unpredictable at times to concentrate with that sort of lead. The car was great to handle and drive” Tundo revealed.

The WRC is back in Kenya in June after 19-year hiatus and the speedstar synonymous with his Mitsubishi EVO-10 in which he has won several Kenya National Rally Championship (KNRC) rounds will be using Volkswagen Polo GTI R5 at the upcoming spectacle.

“My profession is agri-Business although I am unemployed at the moment and I drive these (rally cars) for a hobby.

“My latest car is a Mitsubishi EVO 10. I was given a call last night by Pali (Harpal) from Minti and suggest that because Joey the driver and the owner couldn’t make it for the Equator because of the pandemic and the lockdown in Aman that they would like me to drive this beauty here.

“I I have no idea how it handles how it runs I have seen it perform am I just hope it’s will be a good … it will be such good fun I think. So, no expectations but I am hoping I can, you know I have said a lot about these cars and how I would love to be in one so now the prove will be in the pudding whether I can drive the thing.’

“It’s a left-hand drive machine…. I have no idea how it handles,” says Flash who cannot hide his excitement for being the one to drive “this beauty” and how he has craved to drive one.’’ he explained.

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