Life & Work

Here come the adrenaline junkies

car

Baldev Chager blows dust in his Evo 10 around the Kedong stage. PHOTO | ANWAR SIDI

To them, the smell of high-octane fuel is like that of fresh roses, hand brake turns on tarmac or gravel are child’s play, turbo sounds from constant rumbling of high-tech engines are all perfect notes in a soothing orchestra.

Well, as they say, it’s a rallying thing, you wouldn’t understand. This is the life of an estimated 200 rally drivers in Kenya’s motorsport circles.

It is September and the Safari Rally is here with us, starting this morning. The rains have set the perfect stage for these adrenaline junkies. In a rally driver’s language, it is time to play with the toys!

Well these toys are not just any toys – the average price of a homologated (FIA approved) rally contraption is about Sh3 million, excluding running costs. Though, and I kid you not, you will see cars double this price.

Rallying is an expensive sport. KCB Group has come on board to sponsor the event to the tune of about Sh44 million shillings annually.

So over the next couple of days, Nairobi, Nanyuki and Nyeri counties will be the playground for these cars that will make horse power-hungry enthusiasts go bananas.

Seated inside roll cages in these powerful machines are men and a handful of women who also happen to sit at the top of their organisations as senior managers and directors.

To name but a few, San Valencia MD Phineas Kimathi, Multiple Haulier’s director Manvir Baryan, KCB’s customer care director Job Njiru, OiLibya’s Norris Ongalo, Kabras Sugar’s director Jasi Chatthe, Chloride Exide MD Tim Jessop and Fly 540’s Don Smith are among the adrenaline-loving junkies on this list. 

“I have always wanted to rally but couldn’t afford it before. I love the sport. I mean, where else would roads be closed for you and you are expected to drive flat out? Today, you can barely drive at 80kph anywhere around the country so this is bliss, says Aslam Khan.

“Motorsports challenges one physically and mentally, and teaches one valuable skills such as leadership, hard work and perseverance, which translate beyond the rally track to the boardrooms and the communities we live in,” says Job Njiru.

Interestingly, a thought came to mind – is rallying the new golf?

I saw a recent TV report of a slump in attendance of golfing tours abroad. It is cliché that golfing gives an added advantage to networking platforms.

Even if one doesn’t know how to tee off, it’s about who I am going to meet. Well, the case may just be the reverse for Kenya’s burgeoning middle class.

There is a growing list of these hard hitters joining the rally scene and it has also provides a similar platform to golf. Apart from rallying giving you exposure, it is also a form of relaxation for these corporate leaders who are often under a lot of pressure at work.

“Rallying is a sport that teaches one a lot about life. Some say that golf is a reflection of what you experience in life, but my view is rallying encompasses more about life.

Just arriving at the start ramp is an accomplishment on its own right as there are many factors one would have had to satisfy and meet just to get to that point.

Before each rally you actually carry out a Swot analysis – even for those who aren’t in the know of the nomenclature of what it is they actually do, but without actually carrying out one before each event you are doomed to fail.

Unfortunately, both rallying and golf are expensive hobbies to take up and maintain, rallying more so,” says Richard Onyonyi, the MD of Albatros Auto Agency.

“Rallying is a great sport. One of the challenges is expense. The ones who make it are the ones who have the money. We have people who have talent but no money,” says Khan.

Cost of rallying

Drivers really feel the pinch when it comes to the running costs of a rally car, service crew and buying parts. This has left them at the mercy of sponsors.

Aslam Khan says he spends about $200,000 (Sh17 million) a year on rallying. He is also in the aviation business and gives back to the sport by providing a stand-by chopper in case of an emergency.

“We have to give it up to people like Azar Anwar who are keen on making the sport affordable to all through budget rallying. Sponsors should come on board and support.

“Back in 1969, Datsun sponsored driver through giving them cars for the Safari Rally. We appeal to the government to allow duty free importation of rally cars. This will also pave way to bringing back WRC,” says Aslam.

Eyes on the goal

A co-driver’s job is basically to “pace” the driver through notes (map/ directions guide) that are plotted by the organisers. On a rough section, for example, the notes could read, “200MR!!! S JMP”. Translation – drive 200 metres, then triple caution as we take on a bad jump!”

The driver is expected to dance to that tune. Listen to your navigator and you are safe. As a beneficiary, I must commend Abdul Sidi for starting a racing academy to train aspiring drivers on such jargon.

For drivers with an eye for rally-tech development, “mzee wa kazi” Azar Anwar should be your mentor. Safaricom’s Nzioka Waita is one man I have keenly observed once the lights go green.

I can count the number of times he blinks when we are both on the road – belted up, pedal to the metal and chests pumping against the belts fastened to the bucket seats.

Risk!

It is all fun and rosy when the cars slide through the mud, but did you know that drivers face high chances of rolling or a fire every second? We lost Khalid Bakhressa, kin to Tanzania-based business Mogul Salim Bakhressa to a rallying accident. To date, memories linger.

Richard is also a recent victim of a fire accident gone awry when his car caught fire in the final stages of last year’s safari rally.

“Total amount lost to the flames was approximately Sh4.1 million. So that was a loss of investment before I managed to obtain my return on investment! It was also my business marketing tool as I had stated previously how I was going to market the TEIN shock absorbers in East and Central Africa. So if you add up all those factors, the fire cost me more,” says Richard.

Insurance companies do not offer a comprehensive cover on rally cars. I mean, who would?

It is also worth noting that the safety features in a rally car are so high tech that chances of extreme injury are near nil. These include a five-point seat belts, automatic fire extinguishers and reinforced roll cage.

So we ask Richard, why does he engage in extreme motor racing despite the uncertainty attached to the sport?

“The safety features of modern rally cars and the safety gear that we wear reduce the risks. If one is to ever find themselves ‘fearing’, it is time to quit the sport.”

Rejuvenation

At the start of any rally, you will see Aslam stretching his arms and feet before flagging off. You might wonder how one gets rejuvenated in a sport where you drive at over 200kph.

“Rallying keeps you fit! Where else can you drive at top speeds? Imagine, here you are, the roads are closed for you and you can drive past the limit.  Normally, with traffic, you can barely drive at 50kph in Nairobi,” he says.

One common thing about jets and rally cars is that both run on aviation fuel. No wonder we have another pilot, Don Smith, who never leaves his BlackBerry behind.

You’ll always see Don replying to email before we hit the road. If he is so busy, why does he sacrifice his time and energy and spend millions on motorsport?  Well, your answer is as good as mine.

Planning

What you will see this weekend is the cherry on the cake. These drivers, plus the unsung heroes behind them, have spent months preparing their cars and shipping some of the spare parts not locally available. As a university student, I would spend hours of my leisure time at Aztek Motorsports with Shazar

Anwar learning about behind-the-scenes preparation of rally cars. It is customary the week before the safari rally for mechanics to work overnight. When I first did that, they told me I was now “fully initiated”!

Team work

If there is one team I learn a great deal from, it has to be that of Azar Anwar and Julius Ngigi. These two encompass what every Kenyan should embrace - a bond beyond racial and religious backgrounds. Azar is a staunch Muslim while Pastor Julius shepherds Christian folk.

Remember, the relationship between a driver and his navigator in integral in this game. You have to be one, you have to be in sync! Seeing these two men gel and even succeed in garnering podium position is profound. Last year, the duo finished third in the most grueling of rallies yet.

“We are always hopeful. We have a positive attitude and tell God what we desire to have and leave the results to him,” says Julius.

I also have great respect for Ugandan doctor Ashraf Mohammed for choosing to partner with Civicon’s Peter Stone.

Enjoy the rally be safe!

As fans, there is an ongoing campaign to ensure that we also make this a gentleman’s sport like golfing. Don’t drink and drive. What you will see over the next couple of days is the result of dedicated preparation over time.

After the rally, our roads are often treated to wannabes who want to push their ramshackles like Carl Tundo does in his Proton. In the process, they fail miserably causing injuries and death to other road users. It takes time to be a Patrick Njiru.