Ignore the haters: KVF boss to junior WRC duo

One would wonder why the Kenya Volleyball Federation (KVF) boss Waithaka Kioni is invested in what is happening in Sweden at the Junior World Rally Championship (WRC). 

The answer is in the name of two drivers making their debut in the rally, Mcrae Kimathi and his navigator Mwangi Kioni. 

FIA release statement after Kenyan rally driver's racial abuse

Kimathi's co-driver is son to the KVF boss, a navigator who has acquired a considerable amount of experience rallying in Kenya. Last year, he joined Kimathi, son to Kenya Motorsport Federation (KMSF) boss Phineas Kimathi and the two have gone on to make huge strides in junior rallying. 

The duo, the only African crew registered in the WRC feeder series, was the subject of online abuse that had racist undertones during the pre-season test in Norway. 

"We speak every day after their races and my message to the two young men has remained the same. Not to listen to the noise of a few ignorant people who choose to use skin colour to discriminate. 

They have a big platform to learn and launch their global career in rallying and nothing should stop them. They are talented young men and they should use the hate as more fuel to prove to themselves that they are as good drivers as their competitors in the WRC," offered the KVF boss adding that level of exposure globally vary and the online abuse is from small thinkers.

Kimathi, in his Ford Fiesta, has attracted just as much attention as the favourites as this is his firat time to race on snow where he has had some getting used to studded tyres and snowbanks in -20C temperatures to deal with.

"It is the first time in my life racing on snow. But I quite enjoyed driving on it with studded tires because there is so much grip compared to on a normal gravel rally," Kimathi said in an interview with BBC. 

After the shakedown ahead of race proper, the duo said the jitters were gone and they were ready to learn in the rally proper. Experience and mileage take priority for the duo in Sweden.

"For Sweden, we'll just try and learn as much as possible to gain experience. I want to learn the roads and the different surface, which will probably help me in future,” he added.

He does, however, have previous experience of M-Sport Poland’s Ford Fiesta Rally3. He drove the car to the African junior title in 2021 and also starred at the Safari Rally, something he hopes will play to his advantage in Greece this year. 

"If we want to be at the top level of the sport, we have to drive on every surface, so it's better to start now when I have the chance. The Junior WRC is a great way to start," he explained. 

“The car is really fantastic and so good to drive. For this year, there are a few new upgrades with it and there will be a bit more power and torque, so it could be more of a challenge.

Additional information by WRC