NAIROBI, Kenya, March 19 – Young rally driver Jennifer Malik is hopeful of positive results at next week’s World Rally Championships (WRC) Safari Rally in Naivasha in what will be her second consecutive appearance in the global competition.
Malik says she took a lot of notes from last year’s edition and has been implementing the lessons she learnt from her debut.
“Last year was amazing…we are going to correct the mistakes we made so we come back better this year. Hopefully this year we will cross the finish line,” Malik said.
The autocross sensation was one of four all-female crew, which made history at the Safari Rally courtesy of sponsorship by the government via the Ministry of Sports.
“We are looking forward to getting points for the team. Talanta Hela is doing a good job in supporting us ladies and we are grateful for them. Betika also came through for me; they have been supporting me for the last three years and they couldn’t let their girl down this time round. We are looking forward to making both sponsors very proud,” she said.
Navigated by Margaret Sungai in a Subaru Impreza, Malik will be keen to rack up points in the Kenya National Rally Championships (KNRC) category of the Safari Rally.
Nonetheless, she is cognisant of the fact that it won’t be a walk in the park.
“It is not as easy…the terrains at the stages are quite hard and stressful. You need to be prepared mentally and physically fit…emotionally ready because it is not as easy as most guys would expect it to be,” Malik explained.
She added: “It is something you need a lot of preparation for. You need to get your mind right. So far, so good…this is my second year so I am becoming tougher by the year.”
Ahead of next week’s grueling battle with the forces of nature, Malik received a timely boost from betting firm Betika on Tuesday morning.
Along with multiple national rally champion Carl ‘Flash’ Tundo, Andrew Muiruri and Ishmael Azeli, she received a Ksh 20 million sponsorship to aid their preparations for the rally.
The amount is an increase from the Ksh 14 million sponsorship provided by the company for last year’s edition.
Speaking at the same time, Betika managing director Mutua Mutava saluted the quartet as the epitome of the resilience required to navigate the obstacles that characterise an event that has traditionally been christened the ‘world’s toughest rally.’
“The Safari Rally stands as an unparalleled trial of resilience. Its unforgiving and diverse terrain unforgiving, including treacherous mud to unyielding rocks, fesh-fesh sand to demanding water crossings, make it the ultimate test of endurance. We are proud to stand behind these four rally drivers as they navigate these formidable obstacles with unwavering determination and skill. Betika recognises the vast abilities of our youth and would like to hold their hands whenever we can,” Mutava said.
The Safari Rally, now in its fourth edition since its return to the WRC calendar in 2021, is set to revv off on Wednesday next week onto Sunday.
It is the first time in over a decade that the global competition will be held over the Easter weekend.
