Amwari determined to take Safari Rally by storm

Driver Issa Amwari try his hands on Evo X car sponsored by Mozzart bet ahead of World Rally championship Safari Rally. June 16, 2022.[Jonah Onyango, Standard]

After opting out of the World Rally Championships last year on technicalities, Kenya National Rally Championships (KNRC) driver Issa Amwari is ready to take next week’s Safari Rally by storm.

The former KNRC Division Two champion is hopeful to finish the grueling challenge that will traverse 19 rough stages in Naivasha covering over 360kms.

“This will be my first WRC outing, my objective is to post impressive results in my 12 year career in motorsport,” Amwari told Standard Sports.

The 40-year old father of three has already rectified all the conditions that knocked him out of the global showpiece last season, just a day to the competition.

“Lack of a FIA approved fuel tank smoked out my dream in 2021. The fuel tank arrived in the morning of the scrutineering so it could not be fixed in time,” he said.

“I also forgot the cover of the pump. I also felt sick just a day to the event.”

The former KNRC Group S winner will now head to the lakeside town of Naivasha tomorrow a happy man after meeting all the FIA requirements for his Mitsubishi Evo 10 machine, courtesy of gaming firm Mozzartbet.

“With the funds from the gaming firm, I have managed to fix the vehicle with all the necessary parts in order to be compliant with the world motorsports governing body,” he said.

“The money will also help me to cater for my accommodation, food, entry fees, sporting gears like the overall and the helmets, pay mechanics their allowances and cater for other logistics needed.”

Amwari spend the better part of yesterday doing test drives in the rough sections of Athi River which has the same gravel surface like the tough Naivasha terrains.

“I’m doing this to ensure the car is stable in terms of balance, settings and suspension,” he said.

Amwari has been engaging in morning run in Karura Forest ahead of the Safari Rally.

He believes the WRC is an event of huge magnitude that requires one to be physically fit to overcome.

“Concerning diet, I have been taking a lot of fluids to keep more hydrated,” he said.

Amwari feels he no longer needs to bond with his co-driver Job Njiru who has called out pace notes for him in the last 12 years.

“Our relationship is like a wife and a husband, we know each other so well behind the wheel; he knows what I like and I know what he needs in order to be in tune with the vehicle,” he underlined.

The duo has been unable to take part in the KNRC series this season due to lack of funds but is looking forward to attending the remaining legs after the WRC.

Amwari was introduced to motorsport by his father, Nkubu, who was a national beater in the sport in the ‘80s.