Mother-daughter duo hopes to inspire girls into future Safari

The mother-daughter rallying duo of Tinashe and her co-driver Caroline Gatimu hope to use their performance at the just concluded WRC Safari Rally to inspire young girls to chase their dreams in motorsport.

Driving a Subaru Impreza GC8, the duo finished 13th overall in the Kenya National Rally Championship (KNRC) with a cumulative time of 3:54:43.6.

Jeremiah Wahome and navigator Victor Okundi in a Skoda Fabia RS led the standings (2:13:54.2) while Carl ‘Flash’ Tundo and Tim Jessop were third (2:23:46.9).

Caroline emphasised their participation was more than just competition.

“It was about paving the way for young female rally drivers,” she said.

“We want to make millions of young girls understand that it is possible to pursue their dreams and harness their full potential irrespective of where they come from or what they do.”

“This is the only way to realise your dreams when you go out there and work for it,” Caroline said.

A seasoned rally driver and an expert in social and policy-oriented research with over 13 years of experience, Caroline has been instrumental in mentoring Tinashe, guiding her through the complexities of the sport.

At just 20 years old, Tinashe made a name for herself in the rallying scene.

Her journey began under the guidance of her father, Gatimu Mindo, whom she worked for as a mechanic.

The hands-on experience fueled her passion for motorsport, eventually leading her to compete in the iconic Safari Rally.

Tinashe and Caroline made their debut as a duo in 2023, finishing 10th overall in the KNRC category.

A year later, they improved to seventh place, solidifying their presence in Kenyan motorsport. Reflecting on this year’s event, she underlined their primary goal—finishing the rally.

“It is such an honour to compete against the best drivers from across the globe. Our dedication to this sport has never been in doubt and that is why we always strive to finish any race we participate in.”

This year’s Safari Rally posed even tougher challenges with the introduction of two new punishing stages— Camp Moran and Mzabibu—combined with unpredictable weather conditions.

“This year, the rally was unforgiving following the introduction of two new stages, Camp Moran and Mzabibu. Also, the unpredictable weather made it even tougher. I am grateful to our fans and everyone who supported us during the event.”

Caroline expressed gratitude to their sponsors, particularly KCB, for their unwavering support.

“A big thank you to our sponsors for believing in us, especially KCB, who came through massively,” she added.