Rally debutant and Motocross lady rider Maxime Wahome is among four the drivers named in the four-car squad that will tackle this month's WRC Safari Rally Kenya in Betika livery.
Another debutant Andrew Muiruri is also in Team Betika mix alongside KNRC driver Hussein Malik and Autocross star Rehan Shah.
Maxine, who is a four times Kenya Women's Motocross Personality of the Year, will be making her rallying after a short stint in Autocross. She will be navigated by Chantal Young in a Subaru Impreza N10.
Maxine and Rehan are products of the KCB Kenya National Autocross Championship while Muiruri graduated through tarmac racing ranks in the TT events.
Muiruri was all smiles and here's what he had to say: "Most of my finishes in TT asphalt events have been podiums. I am glad to pursue my racing dream on my gravel debut," Muiruri revealed of his Safari dream.
Maxine, who is daughter of retired rally driver Jimmy Wahome, said: "I'm just getting started in rallying and I'm overly excited. From my early Motocross days I never imagined I would reach this far in my career. I want to continue the legacy of my lady predecessors."
Team Betika becomes the first local outfit to unveil it's livery for the fabled event slated for June 24-27 in Nairobi and Naivasha areas.
"Betika Bazengas" has Malik who is teaming up with Linet Ayuko in a Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution 10. The duo are using the same car which crashed out of ARC Equator Rally in April.
"Betika Morios" is a composition of Muiruri and former 2WD Navigators' Champion Edward Njoroge. Muiruri and Njoroge are glad to pursue their Safari dream behind the wheel of an ex-McRae Kimathi Subaru N12.
"Betika Yengs" is an all-ladies crew comprising Wahome Chantal Young in a Subaru N10.
"Betika Oteros" has Rehan and his partner Harshil Limbani in a Subaru N10.
Betika CEO Nick Mruttu said they are proud to sponsor the four cars to a tune of Ksh. 100million.
"In the core front of nurturing talent and supporting sports diversity, Betika Na Community today has extended its support to 8 Kenyan rally participants who will be taking part in this year’s World Rally Championship. Sports personalites also need a decent living which is why Betika is spreading its tentacles to Safari Rally Kenya." Mruttu said.
Sports CS Amina Mohamed and rally legend Patrick Njiru thanked the Betting Firm for its goodwill gestures.
"I'm glad that corporate sponsors are now identifying with young rally drivers who are the future of the sport. I saw Maxine when she was 1 day old, and I'm glad that she has now graduated from circuit racing to a rally driver. She is definitely the future of the sport."
Sports CS Amina said: "As a Government, led by His Excellency President Uhuru Kenyatta, we have invested heavily in terms of resources and energy in an effort to bringing the Safari Rally back to the world calendar and we are glad it came to fruition. Kenya is the home of Safari and seeing corporate companies like Betika support our sportsmen and women, through thick and thin, is quite encouraging at the height of Coronavirus pandemic."
Driver Hussein Malik on his part said: "After our accident on Equator Rally our car was damaged and we asked ourselves, Safari is coming and we don't have a car. We wanted to be a part of this historic rally sport event and when Betika came calling, we were grateful for the simple reason that we would fulfilled our childhood dream of doing a WRC Safari Rally."
