Teenage rally prodigy Tinashe Gatimu believes her Subaru Impreza GC8 is battle-ready after an engine swap and a successful test run at the demanding Twisty Corners off-road race track.
The 18-year-old, who will be navigated by her mother, Caroline Gatimu, is part of a four-car lineup representing KCB Bank at this year’s WRC Safari Rally.
Tinashe said they were testing the car’s performance after swapping the engine.
“I will be driving a Subaru Impreza GC8. We changed the engine and that’s why we were doing the test drive, to gauge its performance and so far, it’s handling beautifully,” Tinashe said.
But the mother-daughter duo isn’t leaving anything to chance. They plan to fine-tune the car further to extract maximum power and agility ahead of the March 20 Safari Rally flag off.
“We are looking to do some additional tuning to give the car that extra kick. Right now, it’s more or less ready for the WRC,” she added.
One final test run is on the cards before the rally flag drops, ensuring the Impreza is primed for the punishing Safari Rally terrain.
“Once we’re done with the tuning, we will take it out for another test. After that, we’ll be good to go,” she noted. Set to make her third appearance in the legendary Safari Rally, Tinashe describes the experience as surreal.
“Competing in the WRC is an amazing feeling. The past two years have been incredible with the immense support I have received and the people I have met both locally and internationally,” she said.
With unwavering backing from her parents and sponsors KCB, the young rally ace is pushing for an even stronger performance this year.
“I have gotten a lot of support from my mom who sits beside me in the cockpit. My dad works on the car and KCB are the sponsors. That means a lot, and it fuels my drive to do even better,” she added.
Tinashe is keen to see more young women embrace rallying, urging them to take the plunge into the sport. “I know there are a lot of young ladies out there who are passionate about rallying. This is a welcoming community with people ready to help and guide you. Whether you want to be a driver, marshal or official, there’s a place for you,” she encouraged.
Her rally journey began in 2022 with an auto race in Nakuru and from there, the rally bug bit hard.
“I started racing in 2022 with an
auto race in Nakuru and from there
the Rally bug continued. Being in
a rally car is calming, it’s just you
and the car. For me, it’s very relaxing,” she noted
