Zambian couple Gomes, latest entrants in Kenya’s rally leg
Zambian husband and wife crew of Leroy and Urshlla Gomes (pictured) will be looking to conquer the demanding Kenyan terrain when the second round of the FIA African Rally Championship (ARC) gets underway in Naivasha this weekend.
The couple is aiming to finish the Kenyan leg of the continental series on a high after clinching the season-opening Rallye Bandama of Ivory Coast last month.
The Gomes have never won a rally on Kenyan soil but will be looking to break the duck in their Ford Fiesta-Rally 2 machine. They will also be aiming to become the first husband and wife crew to do so in the event.
In an interview Leroy, one of the fastest drivers in Africa at the present, said: “It’s always challenging racing in Kenya, both for the drivers and navigator as well as the car. We would like to finish it and keep carrying ARC points.”
“It’s never been an easy rally for any foreigner to come and win. Kenya has amazing drivers.”
This year is a little strange because a lot of the great names and drivers are missing from the event. But Karan Patel, who is currently leading the Kenyan Championship, is an amazing driver and he is definitely favorite to win this event. We would be honored to just be on podium”
Leroy added that he will take the event as it comes. He went on: “We will only truly know how to approach the rally once we see the stages. Rally routes change over the years and we also need to understand what the weather might do. Our approach will be determined after our recce.”
“We just need to make sure that we are able to keep among the top drivers in this event and not fall to far back” he said.
For the second year running, the ARC Equator Rally will serve as a dry run for the WRC Safari Rally which is slated for June.
