Rising rally star Rajveer Thethy is set to benefit from the expertise of his new navigator, Linet Ayuko, in the upcoming Nakuru Rally, scheduled for 2-3 August in Baringo.
This event marks the fourth round of the Kenya National Rally Championship (KNRC) and is organised by the Rift Valley Motor & Sports Club (RVMSC) under the theme “Racing For Peace In Baringo”.
Ayuko, a decorated co-driver with multiple Safari Rally finishes and the title of Kenya’s Navigator-of-the-Year 2021, is teaming up with Rajveer to bring her wealth of experience to the team. Known for her commitment to nurturing young talent in the KNRC, Ayuko has co-driven several drivers, earning numerous accolades along the way.
“The opportunity to mentor a rising star is truly remarkable,” Ayuko expressed. “It allows me to contribute my knowledge and experience to the development of a promising driver. His potential is evident, and I am eager to witness his continued growth in the sport. I look forward to working closely with him and providing guidance as he navigates his journey.”
Ayuko also emphasized her expectations for the upcoming race, focusing on collaboration and performance.
“My expectations are consistently focused on ensuring the driver successfully completes the race and reaches the ramp. I prioritize fostering a collaborative and enjoyable work environment that enables us to deliver an exceptional performance and create a positive impression for our sponsors. My primary objective for the forthcoming Nakuru Rally is to witness the driver excel and achieve an outstanding finish.”
Rajveer, who has participated in seven career KNRCs, is thrilled to partner with Ayuko. “It will be my first time partnering with her (Linet) and I’m overly excited because she brings a wealth of experience and has achieved significant feats in the rally world. I’ve heard that there will be a tarmac stage in the rally, which sounds very exciting,” said Rajveer.
He continued, “This will be a fun new challenge, especially since our car is set up for gravel stages. It will be tricky to make up time on the tarmac stage, but we’re looking forward to the challenge and the opportunity to adapt and perform under different conditions.”
The Nakuru Rally will be Rajveer’s first event of the 2024 KNRC season, where he aims to gain more seat-time and secure good finishing positions. “One of my goals is to achieve a podium finish alongside the R5s,” he quipped.
Rajveer has already made a name for himself in the rally world. In 2022, he became the youngest competitor to take part and finish the Mini Classic Rally in Eldoret. He has twice been crowned junior autocross champion in 2015 and 2016 and was the 2021 Autocross champion in the 2WD NT Car Category. His KNRC debut in the season-closing KCB Guru Nanak Rally saw him finish 8th overall and 2nd in Division Two Class.
As Rajveer and Ayuko prepare for the Nakuru Rally, their partnership is expected to bring a blend of youthful energy and seasoned expertise, setting the stage for a thrilling competition in Baringo.
