With just a month to go before the 2025 WRC Safari Rally, KCB Racing Team’s Tinashe Gatimu is leaving nothing to chance as she gears up for the event scheduled for March 20-23 in Naivasha, Nakuru County.
The young rally star, who will be competing in the prestigious global event for the third time, is eager to make her mark on the world stage.
In preparation for the grueling challenge, Gatimu, navigated by her mother Caroline Gatimu, put their Subaru Impreza GC8 to the test at Twisty Corners. The duo fine-tuned the car’s performance, ensuring they are race-ready for an event expected to attract over 50 elite crews from across the world.
“Today, we are out here testing the car to improve on the things we need to work on,” Gatimu said after the test run. “For me, it’s also about getting physically ready for the event. Competing in the WRC is an amazing feeling. So far, we have changed the engine, and it’s performing well. Next, we will do some tuning to give us more kick-off power.”
At just 20 years old, Gatimu’s participation in the WRC Safari Rally is a significant milestone in her career. She is determined to raise the Kenyan flag high in one of the world’s most challenging rally events in the WRC Calendar.
“I have an incredible group of people supporting me through the journey, helping me navigate the challenges of the sport. My parents have been instrumental in my rallying career, and our sponsors have eased our participation in this prestigious event,” she added.
Gatimu is part of the formidable KCB Racing Team, which includes African Rally Champion Karan Patel, Nikhil Sachania, and Evans Kavisi. The team recently received a major boost with a KES23 million sponsorship from KCB, reinforcing its commitment to motorsports excellence.
As the countdown to the WRC Safari Rally begins, all eyes will be on Gatimu and her fellow KCB Racing Team members as they take on the demanding Naivasha terrain, pushing their limits against the best rally drivers in the world.
In an interview with Mtaa Wangu last year, Gatimu reflected on how her destiny was determined from the moment she was born, given that both her parents are involved in motorsport.
“I come from a safari rally family. We are all speed junkies; my mum is a driver, and my dad has been navigating in the rally scene for years. They both inspired me to pursue a career in rallying,” she shared with Mtaa Wangu.
“I began my journey with a Toyota Levine, which set me on an upward trajectory in the rally world. My debut in the Safari Rally was in 2023, where my mother served as my navigator. Her guidance in my ear has made us a formidable team in the rally world. It is exhilarating to push my limits alongside someone who has championed my growth in motorsport since childhood.”
For Gatimu, completing the third leg of the WRC Safari Rally was a dream realised. She hopes for an improved ranking and thrilling experiences in the seasons to come.
“I had to step in for experienced rally driver Erick Bengi, who has significantly influenced me as my mentor. My goal is to improve every day.”
The speedster, who began her career in the Karting championship at the age of 10, aspires to study mechatronics and compete on the global stage.
Her message to young girls aspiring to enter the world of motorsport is to believe in their potential.
“My mum did it, and I am doing it now. We have a strong support system from both men and women in motorsport. The presence of women in motorsport is something we anticipate seeing grow.”
