Gawaya fired up for Kenya Safari Rally show

Timothy Gawaya is destined to join the list of Ugandans who have participated in the historic Safari Rally Kenya.

The Safari Rally Kenya is the third round of this year’s World Rally Championship and will have over 30 crews anticipated to start the event. The rally runs from 20-23 March in Nairobi and Naivasha, Kenya.

Gawaya takes with him the famous Seat Ibiza sharing it with long-time co-driver Francis Wamala. 

“Going for Safari rally was an impromptu thought. It is something that had never crossed my mind before. When it came, I said why not,” said Gawaya.

“The thought grew stronger and the urge to share the same stage with the world’s best drivers kicked in. Only Safari rally could guarantee that for me,” he added.

Gawaya in his Seat Ibiza will be sharing the same stages, distance and organisation with world rally champions including two-time WRC champion Kalle Rovanperä, reigning champion Thierry Neuville, Ott Tanak among others. 

“Safari rally is the right place for me to test a world-class event. And because of its proximity, I can stretch myself to get to Kenya than going to the European events which is a whole different dynamic,” said Gawaya.

Gawaya is less worried about the choice of car he is taking to the Safari rally. He believes it can compete well against the local crews. 

“My car is a WRC kit car. It has so much that blends with WRC safety requirements and is already configured for rally. I can ably compete with some of the local crews,” he asserted. 

Safari Rally Kenya as a World Rally Championship event comes with expensive logistical requirements but Gawaya is confident he has everything in control.

“We know the event has a lot of demands in terms of safety requirements and the expenditure. But there is nothing to fear, we are ready to go far with.”

“There is a lot of spending on that side like you have to wear WRC suppliers tyres, fuel at their price. But we are still financially preparing for the big event,” he adds.

A finish will be Gawaya’s utmost desire for his Safari rally debut.

“The event is going to be a whole new experience given the longer distance we shall be handling for the first time. We have been used to 200km but the Safari Rally is over 1000km over four days.

“The target is to finish the event and enjoy ourselves as much as possible. We are preparing in terms of physical fitness, emotional preps and finances,” said Gawaya.