A Weekend of Trials and Triumphs
Last weekend, I embarked on an unforgettable motorsport adventure at the WRC service park in Naivasha, Kenya. While it wasn’t a WRC event per se, the Kenya National Tarmac Championship brought its own unique challenges and excitement. The “Head to Head” race format, with mirrored gymkhana-style configurations, offered heart-pounding battles against fierce competitors. As I reflect on the ups and downs of the weekend, I can’t help but be reminded of the perseverance and determination it takes to thrive in the world of motorsport.
A Bumpy Start
The journey started with unexpected hurdles. On the practice day, our team encountered disappointment as the tire choice — Toyo R888R in the front and Zestino in the rear — proved less than ideal for the loose dust and gravel prevalent in certain sections of the track. Our grip quickly dissipated during braking and cornering, causing us to lose valuable time. It was a wake-up call, pushing us to rethink our approach and make necessary adjustments.
In the Face of Adversity
One challenge followed another, as the shifter linkage bushing broke during testing. Our hearts sank as we faced the possibility of being immobilized for the entire race weekend. However, in moments like these, the true strength of a team shines through. Thankfully, our dedicated team pulled together, frantically making calls, we rallied together, making arrangements for a spare part to be brought from my house in the city. My sister came to the rescue and agreed to deliver the part early morning on race day, reaffirming the incredible support and camaraderie within the racing community.
Learning and Adaptation
With setbacks come valuable lessons. Following the advice of our race engineer, Sam Karangatha, I adjusted my driving style, focusing on smoother braking and trail braking into turns. Combining this with smoother throttle inputs allowed for better control and improved lap times. Despite the improvements in my driving, the initial tire choice continued to be a major challenge. The Toyo tires were disappointing on the loose dust and gravel sections, affecting our overall performance. We took a leap of faith and swapped in our road-going Zestinos, resulting in an impressive three-second improvement on our lap times.
Battling for the Top Spot
As the “Head to Head” race commenced, excitement filled the air. Matching our championship rival’s pace, we engaged in intense battles throughout the event. However, I found myself repeatedly hitting cones, accumulating penalties that cost us precious time. Initially, I believed I was driving within the laid-out course, but upon reviewing the footage later, I discovered the challenge presented by our Mitsubishi Colt Ralliart race car’s behavior on tight radius turns. While the front wheels cleared the cones, the rear wheels followed a shorter path, resulting in unfortunate contact.
The Unforeseen Obstacle
Just when things were starting to look promising, disaster struck during the final heat. The gearbox mount snapped, and we had to pull back on the pace, struggling to reach the finish line and collect some points. The frustration of losing four seconds to our rival and another second for hitting a cone was a tough pill to swallow. We finished the race in 2nd place and dropped down to 2nd in overall championship standings.
Looking Ahead
With two races left in the championship, we have a chance to level the playing field. If we can secure victory in the next race, the final event at the WRC service park in Naivasha will become the decider. Despite the rotten luck we have encountered at this venue, we approach it with renewed vigor. Armed with the knowledge gained from this weekend’s experiences, we will fine-tune our strategy, make necessary repairs to our cracked exhaust caused by the engine rocking motion after the gearbox failure, and optimize our car’s setup.
This weekend’s race at the WRC service park in Naivasha was a rollercoaster ride of emotions. From initial tire troubles and unforeseen mechanical issues to hard-fought battles and moments of self-reflection, it epitomized the challenges and triumphs of motorsport. The determination, teamwork, and adaptability demonstrated by our team were testaments to the spirit that drives us forward. As we gear up for the upcoming races, we embrace the uncertainty, knowing that in the world of racing, nothing worth achieving comes without a fight.