Three-day equatorial classic rallying kicks off in Taita Taveta County

Driver David Von Schinkel and Co-driver Fredrik von der Esch (left) from Sweden on their Porsche 911 Taita Taveta. Dec. 10, 2023. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

The Equatorial Classic rallying motorsport, 2025, kicked off yesterday morning amid a high level of excitement and fun among rally drivers participating in the three-day event being held at Teita Sisal Estate in Taita Taveta County.

Governor Mwadime flagged off 19 rallying cars at Teita Sisal Estate, which are the main sponsors. The drivers included 15 local drivers and four from overseas.

The participants, however, noted that muddy and rough roads occasioned by heavy rains would badly affect the event.

22. Karanja, a Kenyan rally driver who is participating for the first time, said there is a high level of excitement and fun among the participants. "This is the first time I am participating, and I expect to finish and have fun. The rally is live, and we will have fun," said the enthusiastic driver who is driving a Toyota Corolla number 22.

Another Kenyan driver, Ayub Khan, and his navigator, Salim Khan, said they will do their best to finish the rally. "We will do our best and see what we can achieve," they said in an interview yesterday.

Max Wolstenholme from the United Kingdom, driving a Toyota Corolla car no. 21, and his Kenyan navigator, V. Okundi, said he was participating for the first time. "We expect to finish the rally and get experience for future events. Muddy roads, however, remain a major challenge to us," he noted.

Among the drivers participating are Ian Duncan (Car No. 2), a legendary name in African motorsport and multiple Safari Rally champion, who teams up with Des Page Morris in a Datsun 280Z, and Jonathan Somen and Richard Hechle (Car No. 5), veterans of the East African Safari Classic Rally, who will battle it out in their Ford Escort MK2.

Others, including Farhaaz Khan and Tauseef Khan (Car No. 3), known for their experience and consistency, will compete in a Porsche 911, revealed Mr Kimani.

Also participating are Shakeel Khan and Assad Mughal (Car No. 10), respected competitors in regional classic events, who will be piloting a Ford Escort MK1; rising stars like Tony Kinoti (Toyota RunX), Ayub Khan (BMW 320), and Andy McDonnell with Fleur McDonnell (Mini Cooper) add to the rich mix of experience and emerging talent.

Kashif Shaikh, the Clerk of Course and organiser of the route, disclosed that the drivers will cover a total of 268 kilometres on the first day.

He revealed that on day two, the participant will cover 29 kilometres on the vast farm at night. "We have reduced the event from 983 kilometres to 628 kilometres.

We have three sections in different locations," Mr Shaikh told the press at the Estate Club House, where the event is taking place.

Yesterday, the farm management said about 90 per cent of the total route will be in local ranches and conservancies.

Antony Nelson, the event organiser, revealed that the event will help market the county as a sports tourism destination.

It will also help the county showcase its vast potential investment opportunities available in the vast ranches and conservancies where we also have the biggest attraction sites, said the official.

"We are expecting the event to generate a lot of income and improve the local economy. We have divided the rally into three stages, including a night overstay on the farm. Business in the region will be boosted," said Mr Nelson.

"This is the first time we are bringing the event to the county, and we are expecting maximum support from the county leadership and enthusiastic residents," said the official.

Phillip Kyriaz, the farm's managing director, disclosed that the event will be held annually. The MD said they will continue working and incorporating the local community and other development partners to make it international. "Our development partners are also ready to invest in and market the county as a tourist destination," he said.

"We are trying to do something for the Taita Taveta community to build up an international motorsport event in the future. We will continue investing more resources in the county to help transform the lives of the community," stated Mr Kyriaz.

At the same time, Kyriaz disclosed that the farm will soon start an equatorial rallying school in the region. This, said Kyriaz, will build and inculcate a rally enthusiasm in the Taita Taveta community.