Youngster Rio Smith promises to thrill fans at Safari Rally action

The 2022 WRC Safari Rally is just around the corner and 19-year-old Fly540 Racing Team driver Rio Smith is eager to show his fans the progress he has made in the sport since his debut in the global showpiece last season.

The former national autocross champion is, however, not ready to reveal his target in the championships this year.

All he wants is his action to do the talking.

“I want the fans to watch closely for the changes I have made in the game with my team since last season. I promise there will be a lot more differences that will happen in this Safari Rally.

“We are hopeful to do some good ‘damage’ in this competition with my squad,” he said.

Smith is currently getting his Ford Fiesta R2 machine ready for the job ahead.

He has been delayed though by the lack of spare parts but he’s hopeful to get the car into one piece soonest.

Once the vehicle is ready, Smith plans to do a number of test drives either in Ngong Hills, Athi River or in new tracks around Naivasha where the Safari Rally will be held.

“We are pushing to get the car done in time, we thought we had lots of time left but it has really shocked us that we have only two weeks to go.

“Everyone is doing their part, I’m sure we will be prepared for the championships in time,” he said.

Smith’s car is not the newest model in the market but he believes it will do well in Naivasha.

At 19, the second born in a family of four will still be the youngest competitor in the leg for the second year running.

Ahead of the Safari Rally, Smith has made several adjustments on his daily routine. He now spends two hours in the gym to keep fit. His diet is mostly composed of boiled chicken and vegetables.

“It’s important to watch your health. I’m avoiding fatty foods.  I’m doing cardio and eating clean.

“It’s just not driving that takes away your physical strength but also the conditions around your body that can make you sick,” he said. Smith is taking lessons picked from the Safari Rally last season into account, among them being calm and able to control his nerves as the competition comes with lot of pressure.

“Currently, I’m trying to bond with my navigator Riyaz Ismail, he is an amazing co-driver. For us to do better, we have to rely greatly on each other.

“If we don’t trust each other, we can’t compete at a higher level. Big rallies like the Safari comes with a lot of frustrations so it needs your relationship with the co-driver to be healthy,” he said.

Smith also draws a lot of inspiration in the game from his father Don who is among the five drivers who have given Kenya six African Rally Championships (ARC) titles in a row.

Don bagged the coveted crown in 2016. Others are reigning champion Carl ‘Flash’ Tundo, Manvir Baryan (2017, 2018, 2019), Jaspreet Chatthe (2015) and David Horsey (1984).

“My father has so much experience. His best advice ever is ‘don’t push yourself to break the car. It’s more important to get through the stage than look good and crash out five to ten minutes later’.”

Even though Smith is the next in line after his father when it comes to rallying in his family, he is quick to admit that trying to fit into Don’s shoe has been a tall order

Just like Don, Smith wants to win the ARC in the next five years and have a stint in the Junior WRC series.

Smith has a ritual ahead of any rally contest. He prays to guard himself from any harm in the competition.