Motivated Azeli hoping to drive to WRC Safari Rally finish line

After a stormy outing in his debut last year which saw him record a Did Not Finish, Ishmael Azeli is quite determined to finish the Safari Rally this season.

The third leg of the World Rally Championship (WRC) will be held on the rough terrains of Naivasha on March 20-23.

Azeli believes he now has the needed experience to navigate the punishing Naivasha landscape that blew up his engine, in the second last stage on the last year. The issue smoked out his dream of reaching the finish line.

"We learnt a lot in 2024, this time I'm returning to the rally quite armed with tips to finish the competition and if not to make it to the podium," the 35-year-old father of three told Standard Sports.

The prolific film maker is one of the two drivers, alongside legend and five-time Kenyan champion Carl Tundo, who are being supported by gaming firm Betika to go for the jugular in the rally. Betika will also be the official 'sherehe' (entertainment) partner of the WRC to a tune of Sh65 Million.

"I cherish this financial support, it's amazing. It shows people can trust you, it demonstrates that people see and feel when you are so passionate about a sport, and on my part, I'll try as much as possible not to let them (Betika) down in this rally," he said.

Asked how his preparations for the rally are ongoing, Azeli said: "We have planned to do two test drives starting with this weekend in Athi River. The tests will show us how the car (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 1X) is performing and what necessary changes to make."

Azeli is also working out every day, between 7.30am to 9 am to keep fit. The sessions mostly involve mobility and endurance exercises to counter long sitting behind the wheels.

"I also spend time with my co-driver John Ngugi, we go out, we drink together, we talk a lot to gel before the rally," he said.

Azeli's strategy in the coming competition, where he is also eyeing the Kenyan leg of the African Rally Championship (ARC), will be to try as much as possible to avoid the ruts, as this will help him to keep the car on the road always. "Finishing the rally will give me the power to gun for the overall ARC title as my plan is to attend the forthcoming continental legs in Uganda, Burundi, Tanzania and Rwanda," he said. In order to spread his tentacles in motorsports, Azeli who was introduced into rallying two years ago, will also be taking part in the RallyCross Championships at Kasarani in the course of the season.

He is forever grateful to his friends Mindo Gatimu and Eric Bengi who introduced him to motorsports.

"As a filmmaker, they saw I have passion for cameras and value cars a lot. They trained me into rallying. Having cameras and cars around me is the best thing to have ever happened to me in this world," he said.

And what's his advice to people who want to join rallying?

"Be passionate. Be a fan first, come to Naivasha to watch the rally. Get the experience before you get into the space, but most importantly be disciplined," he said.