2024 motorsport recap: A year of track and dust battles

The 2024 motorsport season roared to life with the perfect mix of adrenaline-pumping action and boardroom drama, leaving fans at the edge of their seats both on and off the track. It’s needless to mention that it has been a year to remember, both on and off the track. The 2024 season was truly one for the books in the recent history of motorsports.

Boardroom battles

From boardroom politics to rallying phenomena across the continent and the Safari Rally, there was something for every spectator who craved thrills and the roar of engines.

However, the local rallying scene faced challenges, notably low entries in the Kenya National Rallying Championship (KNRC). This was largely attributed to exorbitant registration costs for hosting rights and drivers, sparking discontent, particularly with the Kenya Motorsports Federation (KMSF) management.

The situation in domestic rallying was unpre-cedented, with four events cancelled for failing to meet the required competition thresholds. Despite this, the completed races witnessed a fierce battle for honors between Jasmeet Chana/Ravi Chana and Samman Vohra/Alfir Khan, which lasted until the season’s end.

Jasmeet Chana remains one of the few drivers to have won in all categories, including 2WD, Division One, Division Three, Group N and Group S, since his debut in 2007. He was the runner-up in the 2022 KNRC season after an intense homestretch battle, finishing just behind Karan Patel.

Meanwhile, politics within the KMSF dominated the headlines for much of the season.

Jim Kahumbura and Maina Muturi were embroiled in a leadership dispute that ended up in court, with both parties seeking legal orders to resolve the stalemate. Muturi, the bona fide elected chairperson of KMSF, was temporarily barred from continuing as chair following a case filed by KMSF director James Kahumbura and other directors challenging his leadership. Senior Principal Magistrate A. Nyoike issued the orders.

Muturi, who was elected chairman in 2023, served for a year before questions surrounding his eligibility arose, leading to his removal by the Federation’s Board of Directors.
Kahumbura, a former KMSF chairman, was reinstated during a contentious board meeting on September 28 at the Sikh Union Club in Nairobi.

2024 in perspective

On the continental stage, Kenya’s Karan Patel had a stellar season in the Africa Rally Championship (ARC), securing the title with two rounds to spare. Patel dominated the 2024 season, winning four legs in Uganda, Zimbabwe, Burundi and Rwanda.

However, financial constraints and low registrations led to the cancellation of the Tanzanian and Ivorian legs. Patel amassed 140 points, comfortably ahead of Uganda’s Michael Mukula, who earned 47 points after participating in only two races. Jas Mangat of Uganda finished third with 27 points, while Kenya’s Hamza Anwar came in fourth with 24 points.

Since its inception in 1981, the ARC has delivered spectacular action amidst stunning landscapes. Boosted by Kenya’s return to the FIA World Rally Championship in 2021, the ARC continues to grow in strength and reputation, despite disruptions caused by the global health pandemic.

Naivasha pride

The global spectacle that is the WRC Safari Rally once again returned to Naivasha in Nakuru County. The 2024 Safari Rally Kenya, held from March 28-31, was the third round of the 2024 World Rally Championship, as well as World Rally Championship-2 and World Rally Championship-3.

The event featured 19 special stages over a total distance of 355.92 kilometers.

Kalle Rovanperä and Jonne Halttunen of Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT claimed the overall victory with a time of 3:36:04.0. Gus Greensmith and Jonas Andersson triumphed in the WRC-2 category, while Hamza Anwar and Adnan Din emerged victorious in WRC-3.

Sébastien Ogier and Vincent Landais, the 2023 rally winners, along with Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT, successfully defended their titles in 2024.