Veteran rally driver Carl ‘Flash’ Tundo to coach trio of young racers
Seasoned rally driver Carl ‘flash’ Tundo will mentor three young Kenyan drivers who have been picked as part of the FIA Rally Star program.
The initiative will see telco giant Safaricom join Minti Motorsports in a Kes 3.5 million deal to power Tundo’s quest for Safari Rally Glory.
The veteran driver will offer mentorship to FIA Rally Star Programme trio of Jeremy Wahome, Hamza Anwar who are both 22 and 26-year-old McRae Mutwiri Kimathi.
The four drivers, who are all sponsored by Safaricom, will be part of this year’s WRC Safari Rally championship that is set to light up Naivasha and its environs between June 24 – 27.
“Over the years, I have had the opportunity to gain so much from the sport and as I look forward to an exciting Safari Rally challenge, I’m equally elated to get the chance to pass on some of the knowledge I have gained to the three of Kenya’s future rally stars.
“As far as the rally itself is concerned, I feel ready, so is the car. We’ll give it our best shot and appreciate Safaricom for believing in us and coming on board,” said Tundo.
Tundo is a five-time winner of the Safari Rally and in 2009 he was crowned Intercontinental Rally Challenge (IRC) champion, making him the first and only Kenyan winner of an IRC round.
The multiple Safari Rally champion will be driving a Minti Motorsport VW Polo R5, the same car that saw him clinch the 2021 ARC Equator Rally.
“I am excited and pleased to be associated with Safaricom in supporting the team of Carl and Tim and looking forward to a longer-term relationship. We wish them every success in the WRC event which thankfully has returned to Kenya,” said Joey Ghose, the Minti Motorsports director and owner.
Safaricom’s partnership with Tundo brings their total investment in the WRC Safari Rally to Kes 21 million.
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A total of Kes 15 million will go towards supporting the three young Kenyan drivers as the global initiative aims at identifying, training and developing talented young drivers.
Last experienced in Africa in 2002, the WRC Safari Rally is back and sports fans and car enthusiasts look forward to suck up the atmosphere as budding and experienced racers duel in Naivasha’s challenging terrain.
