For the first time in WRC Safari Rally history, mother and daughter are competing in this year’s grueling global showdown that is underway in Naivasha.
Caroline Gatimu, the mother is navigating her daughter Tinashe as they look forward to a lifetime experience after coming from the autocross where they have been competing.
The two, who are part of the all-ladies crew sponsored by the Kenyan government, will be competing under the Kenya National Rally Championship banner with Safari being the fourth round.
Other ladies in the competition are seasoned rally driver Pauline Sheghu who will be navigated by Linet Ayuko, Jennifer Ayietsa, who will be navigated by Wangui Mungai and Natasha Tundo with her core driver being Chantal Young.
Tinashe, hopes that her debut in the Safari Rally, will be a springboard to her rallying career that looks promising.
“I just have the regular butterfly, but once I get into the car they will stop completely and be in the rally mood, so far it is a nice experience, Kasarani was really nice and fast with good jumps,” the 12-year student told Capital Sport.
She added, “I am excited to be competing in the Safari Rally after hearing about it all these years, so I am happy to see what the excitement is all about.”
“We did recce on Monday and Tuesday, there are some fast and slow stages, there are some rocky stages where I need to take it easy and there are some fast stages I will take it to the maximum and get some time there,” she added.
Asked what message she had for young ladies who have have interest in rally, she said;
“It is possible if you have the interest if you have the passion come out, you can volunteer yourself, as a marshal or time keeper, then from there you can grow yourself if you want to become a driver you can, it is possible.”
Who is her role model?
“My role model is Eric Mbengi, he has been my mentor throughout this journey, even before I started autocross, he gave me tips, he has been basically an uncle to me, his advices have been wise, hopefully I will be in the rally all-star team, I will do my best,” she concluded.
The mother was all smiles as she eagerly waited to enjoy the experience but advised her daughter to take it easy and bring the car home.
“The feeling is amazing, I always wanted to do Safari because you have to have a lot of endurance, and tackle the stages. This is one of those big Safari that we knew since we were children everybody wants to be in it and we are here, we are very excited,” Caroline stated.
“I am going to navigate my daughter Tinashe, this is the first time for me to navigate and its awesome, it is a learning space for everybody, if you can navigate do it, if you can drive do it, so we decided as a team and a family to give her the lime light so let her drive it is amazing,” she explained.
“Knowing what Safari is like, I am so proud of my daughter, I am feeling proud right now, so I will tell her to take it easy, just bring the car home every day,” she concluded.
