Kenya’s racing youngsters head for Uganda rally
After almost a month’s lull since the conclusion of the ARC Equator Rally, the FIA Rally Star quartet of Maxine Wahome, Jeremy Wahome, McRae Kimathi and Hamza Anwar cannot wait to debut the continent’s biggest racing crowd-puller, the Pearl of Africa Uganda Rally.
The Kampala-based event will be a journey into the unknown for the four youngsters who don’t know what to expect apart from the big crowds that are traditionally associated with the FMU (Federation of Motorsport Clubs of Uganda) organized event.
McRae Kimathi, who is Kenya’s contender for the FIA Junior WRC and FIA WRC3, will pilot the M-Sport Poland Ford Fiesta Rally3 car which is three steps below the World Rally hybrid car (Rally 1).
Jeremy who will also drive the other Rally3 Fiesta hopes to replicate his ARC Equator Rally form where he finished fourth. During Equator, Jeremy checked out early out of Naivasha’s Service and the mistake cost him a career-best second position.
Maxine, who is the leading lady driver in Kenya at the present, will make her first appearance in the Premier Uganda fixture behind the wheel of a Subaru Impreza while Hamza will drive a Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X.
Hamza anticipates returning to the bucket seat of his Rally 3 Ford Fiesta just before WRC Safari Rally Kenya if all goes well. He rolled his Rally 3 machine on ARC Rally of Tanzania 2021 during Qualifying and the car has had to undergo a strip rebuild in Nairobi to repair the damage.
McRae said: “I don’t know so much about the stages in Uganda – I have no clue what they will look like.”
because it will be my first time there, but I will surely strategise accordingly with my navigator (Mwangi Kioni) after recce and, of course, try not to disappoint my huge fan base there. We just hope we can go there and try to give the local boys a run for their money.”
Jeremy, a product of the Kenya National Karting Championship as well as Formula 4 and 3 in Europe and Asia, said on his part: “The essence is to carry on the momentum from Equator Rally and perform well. Whenever a rally is new, it’s always a tricky affair. I’m sure it’s going to be a challenge, because of the huge turnout of fans on the roads but it’s one event I’m looking forward to.”
“I know the Pearl is a great platform for any aspiring young driver, so I’m looking forward to seeing it. The FIA Rally Star programme has given us the opportunity to experience diverse conditions across Africa and improve our driving capability. Uganda has always been my favourite,” Hamza said.
“I attended the event in 2007 when I was a kid to cheer on my dad (Asad Anwar). Dad still speaks highly of the event and the crazy fans. So, we are looking forward to the craziness,” said Hamza who rejoined this year’s Equator Rally on the Super Rally rule and won the penultimate stage at Kedong last month.
He has since done a strip rebuild on his Evo X and pronounced himself ready for action this week.
