pages. His record on the Zambian stage is incredible - either first or second over an 18-year period, in the Zambia International Rally. His ventures into other parts of Africa are equally as memorable with six firsts in Burundi and a credible seventh in the East African Safari World Rally Championship on - what is renowned for being “The world’s toughest rally”. As previously mentioned, winning the African rally championship eight times, the Zambian head of state recognising Satwant’s contribution to Zambia’s standing on the world stage awarded him the “Order of Distinguished Services”. Reluctantly Satwant retired from Motorsport and has channelled his energy into farming. However there is still a twinkle in his eye as far as rallying is concerned watch this space. Taking into account Satwant’s successes he will be a hard act to follow. Satwant’s nephews Rammy, Muna, Raju and Pappu have rally sport in their blood and at a tender age wanted to get involved. Although still
young they joined service teams for the ‘Uncles’ Muna and Rammy. They were fortunate in that their father had a garage, and they spent a lot of time honing their mechanical skills by modifying wire cars and preparing them for competition, fitting wire spare wheels, and spot lights (powered by a battery). When time was available Guru would take the boys and Tinky (she had to sit in the well in the back behind the front seats) in his rally car. They encouraged him to go faster but it was never fast enough. The boys and Tinky all rallied and had a reasonable amount of success but it was Muna who showed the most promise. In 1987, reaching the tender age of eighteen, Muna’s father bought him his first rally car, a Datsun 1200. Three days before the 1987 Zambia International rally, in true Singh fashion, he burned the midnight oil and car number 28 was on the start line. The race was won by an Audi Quattro and Satwant was second in an Opel Manta. Both cars were ex works. Muna finished a credible eighth.
Muna watched his idol with great interest, particularly his style and technique. It eventually paid dividends: both driving similar cars (the legendary Saburu Impreza) on the 2003 Zambia International rally, and the table was turned with Muna first and Satwant a close second. Having beaten ‘Uncle’, now the African Rally Championship was in Muna’s sights and in 2004 and 2005 he achieved his goal, again with the Saburu. Muna retired, having achieved his goal. He felt that as his children wanted to get actively involved in rally sport they should be given the opportunities he had, and under his tutelage, his daughters Jasmeen and Balveen became codrivers, while Muna jnr and Jassy became drivers. Jassy, like his father, showed the most promise and in 2012 became the youngest Zambian National Champion and a year later the youngest African Champion. Only seven more to go to match Satwant.
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