KNRC: Ayuko’s experience key for Rajveer in Nakuru
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Reading Time: 3min | Fri. 19.07.24. | 14:12
Nakuru will be Rajveer's first rally of the 2024 KNRC season, and he plans to give the R5s that have dominated the series a run for their money
Rising star Rajveer Thethy believes his new navigator, Linet Ayuko, will bring a wealth of experience to the team, having already accomplished significant feats.
Ayuko, a multiple Safari Rally finisher and Kenya’s Navigator-of-the-Year in 2021, will team up with Rajveer for the Nakuru Rally, the fourth round of the Kenya National Rally Championship (KNRC) slated for Baringo on August 2–3.
The event will be organized by Rift Valley Motor & Sports Club (RVMSC) and run with the theme of ‘Racing For Peace in Baringo’.
Helping develop young, budding talent in the KNRC has been a long-time objective of Ayuko, who has co-driven several drivers on the KNRC front and achieved several accolades.
While eager to see how their partnership pans out in Baringo, Ayuko was quick to exalt the efforts of Rajveer, who has contested eight career KNRCs alongside Wayne Fernandes.
“The opportunity to mentor a rising star is truly remarkable. It allows me to contribute knowledge and experience to developing a promising driver. His potential is evident, and I am eager to witness his continued growth in the sport. I look forward to working closely with him and providing guidance as he navigates his journey,” Ayuko offered.
She continued, “My expectations are consistently focused on ensuring the driver completes the race and reaches the ramp. I prioritize fostering a collaborative and enjoyable work environment that enables us to deliver exceptional performances and create a positive impression for our sponsors. My primary objective for the forthcoming Nakuru Rally is to witness the driver excel and achieve an outstanding finish.”
Rajveer, on his part, said he is thrilled to be partnering with Ayuko in the fabled Nakuru round.
"It will be my first time partnering with her, and I’m overly excited because she brings a wealth of experience and has achieved significant feats in the rally world. I’ve heard that there will be a tarmac stage in the rally, which sounds very exciting," said Rajveer.
“This will be a fun new challenge, especially since our car is set up for gravel stages. It will be tricky to make up time on the tarmac stage, but we’re looking forward to the challenge and the opportunity to adapt and perform under different conditions,” the driver added.
Nakuru will be Rajveer's first rally of the 2024 KNRC season, and he plans to get more seat time in the car and secure a good finishing position. "One of my goals is to achieve a podium finish alongside the R5s,” he opens up.
In 2022, Rajveer became the youngest competitor to take part in and finish the Mini Classic Rally in Eldoret. It was a surprise drive, as he took over Evans Kavisi's place in the event, driving a Datsun PA10.
It was Rajveer's first time driving a car with a Weber engine and no power steering, and it was also his first time sitting with Absalom Aswani. He has participated in seven career KNRCs so far. He was a two-time junior autocross champion in 2015 and 2016. In 2021, Rajveer was crowned the Autocross champion in the 2WD NT Car category.
He made his KNRC debut during the season-closing KCB Guru Nanak Rally in Il-Bisil, finishing eighth overall and second in Division Two class.
