Tinashe hoping to drive to Safari Rally finish line

Local drivers are facing not only tough conditions in the Safari Rally but also top drivers from across the world who are driving powerful cars.

For local driver Tinashe Gatimu, it is all about finishing the event despite the tough challenges ahead of her.

Tinashe admitted the grueling championships were becoming harder and harder every day but said she had no reason not to finish the rally. 

"We have had our share of challenges in the rally so far, but I'm happy to have overcome them. That will not deter us from ensuring we make it to the end," she told Standard Sports at Wildlife Service Training Institute Service Park in Naivasha.

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On the first day, Thursday, Tinashe, who's teaming up with her mother Carol Gatimu, had a power problem with their machine in Mzabibu and Kasarani but made it to the service park. They are driving a Subaru GC8.

She's among the female drivers who registered for the rally alongside Pauline Shegu, who is the only Kenyan female driver in the WRC category.

"So far, the rally is okay after fixing the power problem. We are determined to make it to the end with the courage in us," said Tinashe.

She favours wet weather conditions, saying the rally is good with that compared to last year. 

"This time, Safari Rally seems to be good compared to what we had last year," Tinashe said.

And because of the challenges that come with the long distance covered in the four-day competition, Tinashe believes the distance is good for drivers trying to get international exposure in a competitive environment.

"We have all that it takes to compete against the world's best and finish the rally honorably. Competing against the experienced drivers gives us the exposure required in such an environment," she said.

The rally covers over 380km, the longest in the WRC series of international assignments and with that, the sky is the limit for Tinashe.