Rally Driver Tinashe Gatimu makes her remarks during the Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) Safari Rally 2025 Sponsorship launch at Kencom on January 30, 2025.
Strathmore University student Tinashe Gatimu, is gearing up for the 2025 World Rally Championship (WRC) Safari Rally, set to take place from March 20 to 23 in Nairobi and Naivasha.
The 20-year-old rally driver will once again team up with her mother, Caroline Gatimu, as they aim to make their mark in one of the toughest events on the WRC calendar.
The mother-daughter duo has already tested their Subaru Impreza GC8 in preparation for the high-stakes competition, which is expected to attract over 50 elite crews from around the world.
“We are in the right mood to take part in the Safari Rally. We tested the car recently, and we will test it again in another Autocross competition,” Caroline told Nation Sport.
Tinashe is no stranger to the rallying scene. This will be her third appearance at the WRC Safari Rally, having finished 10th in the national category in 2023 while driving a Mitsubishi Evolution IX. She improved her performance in 2024, securing 7th place in a Subaru Impreza N10.
In addition to her rallying career, Tinashe is also a first-team basketball player, showcasing her athletic versatility.
“I bring a wealth of skills and a deep commitment to excellence on and off the track. My experience in autocross, rally-cross, and rallying as both a driver and navigator has given me valuable experience in high-pressure, competitive rallying,” the Engineering student said.
Tinashe is part of the formidable KCB Racing Team, alongside African Rally Champion Karan Patel, Nikhil Sachania, and Evans Kavisi. The team recently received a Sh23 million sponsorship from KCB, strengthening its bid for success in motorsport.
As the countdown to the WRC Safari Rally begins, all eyes will be on Tinashe and her fellow KCB Racing Team members as they navigate the demanding Naivasha terrain, pushing their limits against some of the best rally drivers in the world.
As Tinashe prepares for her next challenge, Kenyan motorsport fans will be eagerly watching to see if she can make history in Naivasha.
Meanwhile, Clerk of Course George Mwangi has assured that the organisers are carefully balancing the entry list, given the high interest from international drivers in WRC-2 and WRC-3.
The rally will also feature entries in the Africa Rally Championship (ARC) and the Kenya National Rally Championship (KNRC), making it a three-in-one motorsport spectacle.
WRC Safari Rally CEO Charles Gacheru confirmed route changes, with Morendat Farm and Camp Moran added to the itinerary, while the shakedown stage has moved from Loldia to Sleeping Warrior.
In last year’s event, Kalle Rovanperä and Jonne Halttunen claimed victory, securing the title for Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT. Gus Greensmith and Jonas Andersson won the WRC-2 category, while Hamza Anwar and Adnan Din took top honours in WRC-3.
