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L. MathekaSheghu issues come-get me plea in Safari Rally return attempt
Reading Time: 2min | Wed. 30.03.22. | 09:25
The KNRC series continues this weekend with the ARC Equator Rally set for Naivasha.
Veteran rally driver and KBC presenter Pauline Sheghu is looking to make a full comeback into the rallying scene after competing in the all-women Lioness rally on the weekend.
Navigated by Mitchelle Chao, a first timer in a rally car in the capacity, Sheghu finished fifth out of the eight drivers that started the rally and says lack of sponsorship is the only hindrance to her full return to rallying.
"I enjoyed being in the car. It was fun and everything went on well apart from the normal hitches. We were the first to rev off on Sunday and having rained on Saturday and drizzling as we began, it was a challenging loop but we managed to hold on to do all four loops for fifth place," offered Sheghu after the rally.
Pauline Sheghu: There is a lot that ladies can do in our events, aside from driving or navigating. As an all-female rally club, we need security, ladies with technical and mechanical know-how, fundraising expertise, and more. @LionessRally pic.twitter.com/3nH8jVe6RH
— KBC Channel1 News (@KBCChannel1) March 26, 2022
Sheghu, the first Kenyan woman driver to finish a Safari Rally in 2011 has not been behind the wheel competitively since but is looking to race a few of the Kenya National Rally Championship (KNRC) events this season.
"I am hoping to participate in more rallies as per the Kenya Motorsport calendar. The Safari is coming up and I would want to get back and compete in a World Rally Championship (WRC) event.
The only challenge we are facing now is sponsorship. Rally is an expensive sport so I am calling on sponsors to come and support my crew. I promise not to fail anyone that comes along in this journey. I have done it before and entered the record books," added Sheghu.
Her first time to race on the Kasarani track was two weekends ago when she participated in an Autocross event just to familiarise herself with the route ahead of the Lioness Rally.
"I know I will race more on this track. It is a good track and we are looking forward to having more events here. Additionally, we call on more women to come out and join us. Rallying is a safe sport and they should not fear. We will take this to the grassroots as well just to introduce this to more women drivers out there," Sheghu concluded.
