Jim Heather-Hayes is the Kenya Motor Sports Federation (KMSF) best personality of the year 2023.

Considered as one of the greatest legends in the sport of rallying, Heather-Hayes passed on in 2022 and was acknowledged for his longstanding contribution to the sport.

Heather-Hayes was a well known rally driver at the height of his rallying career and played a pivotal role in mentoring the next generation of motorsport champions.

His best result was in the 1990 Safari Rally when he finished in the sixth overall position.
Heather-Hayes first tackled the real Safari Rally as a World Rally Championship event notably in 1984 when the event was sponsored by Marlboro and was part of the World Rally Championship series.

Kenya Motor Sports Federation Chairman Maina Muturi paid special tribute to Heather-Hayes, adding: “It’s a testament to his dedication and hard work, as well as his passion for motorsports over the years.”
Maina added that Heather-Hayes consistently demonstrated his commitment to the sport making him a standout personality for the award which dates back to the 60s.

The KMSF awards ceremony is an annual event that celebrates the achievements of Kenyan motorsports personalities.

The ocassion graced by Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba and Principal Secretary Peter Tum also feted African Rally Champions Karan Patel and Hamza Anwar who was the continental junior Champion.

Among the season’s champions feted for their exemplary performances included Kenya National Rally overall champions and siblings Jasmeet and Ravi Chana, who also completed a rare double in clinching the B13 category.

Jasmeet is a second generation driver and one of the few drivers to have won virtually all categories of motor rallying in Kenya including Group N, Group N, Divisions 1 and 3 and Two Wheel Drive in his early days of racing.

Tim Jessop, who guided Carl Tundo to a record five ARC Safari Rally titles as a navigator was feted as the overall Kenya National Rally Raid Champion.

Siblings Chantal and Zane Young were feted for winning the Rally Raid Buggy class. Rising Star Neel Gohil received his award for an unprecedented double in the Kenyan National Autocross category alongside Eric Bengi (4WD-T), John Kadivani (Open) and Azaad Manji (2WD -T).

CS Ababu Namwamba who was the chief guest promised to shore-up the status of the prestigious Kenya National Rally Championship and various disciplines of motorsports to ensure that our local crews prepare adequately for the iconic WRC Safari.

Ababu: “We cannot continue savoring bragging rights of hosting the toughest and most popular WRC event globally yet our local rally championship is not robust. On that note, I wish to call on sponsors and well wishers to partner with us in ensuring that we regain the longstanding glory that the rally-sport has presented for donkey’s years.

This year’s ceremony was held at the Carnivore Nairobi, Kenya, and was attended by a number of dignitaries, including government officials and including the president of Rwanda Automobile Club Christian Gakwaya and his Ugandan counterpart Dipu Ruparelia.