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The long and short-term goal of Mombasa Motor Club (MMC) Training Rally Championship traditionally held at the expansive, Mombasa Cement farm in Vipingo is to encourage more drivers from the Coastal region to realise their potential in motorsports.

The essence, according to club officials, is to keep the running costs down while also enjoying the competitive facet of the sport in a fun environment.

“We are happy to have Mombasa Cement as our partners for giving us a venue to race on, also assisting in setting up the route, and providing us with the much-needed financial support, “ Paras Pandya of Synergy Gases said.

So far this year, the Coast Training Rally Championship has enjoyed support from two additional sponsors in Synergy Gases and Lota Motorsports.

MMC Trailing Rally Championship consists of 6 rounds.

Round 1 and 2 were sponsored by Mombasa Cement, Round 3 was sponsored by Synergy Gases while Round 4- slated for 20th August will be sponsored by Lota Motorsport.

Afternoon session

The event will be held at Mombasa Cement Vipingo featuring two stages in the afternoon session, followed by three stages at night.

That Coast-based corporate entities play a pivotal role in covering organisational costs of volunteers and controllers goes without saying.

Paras, who is also one of the organisers, added: “The objective of the Club is to run funfilled events while also keeping the competitor expense to a bare minimum.

“We started off this year with 7 entrants but the last rally attracted a total of 11 drivers which is no mean achievement if you got to consider the current economic downturn.

“We are planning to bring in some of the old drivers who have not raced for years to come back to the sport and hope to have at least 15 entries by the end of the year.”

The drive for the Clubman Championship in the Coast has been through a lot of effort put in by the MMC Committee and setting up these events under the leadership of Papa Roy McKenzie.

MMC have an active committee made up of KNRC driver Paras Pandya, Falgun Bhojak , Kamlesh Pandya, navigator Victor Okundi, veteran Kashif Shiekh, buggy driver Yusuf Pasta, co-driver Kavit Dave among others.

 Alfan Jiwa and Marguerite McKenzie.

MMC has indeed classified the championship in 6 rounds and three categories namely: 4WD, 2WD and Buggy.

Currently, MMC’s focus is on Coast drivers, to give them budget racing as travelling to upcountry events is costly, especially in the post-Covid era when resources are few and far between.

The Training series also gives them the opportunity to develop their skills and prepare their cars to take part in national events with time.

MMC is also extending invitations of entry to upcountry competitors and anyone willing to come and have a fun day out at sea level.

Committee Member Paras said that recce and rallying happen on the same day as the entire rally program takes place inside the Mombasa Cement factory farm which is private land with no issues on human and motor traffic.

MMC is transitioning into a dynamic Club by training its drivers and co-drivers to bolster their driving lines as well as develop their race cars on a low budget.

At the same time, MMC are also developing core teams of marshals, safety officers, scrutineers, controllers and officials to desirable national and international standards so that during any national event it can provide the requisite support to the Kenya Motor Sport Federation (KMSF).

MMC boasts of dedicated members who help with the running Club events, the likes of Moosa, Punit and Ashiko safety crew, Sudesh and Raj Hirani scrutineering.

Controllers Mohamed Moti, Eric, Tyson, Pauline , Wellington the Service Park Manager, Minesh Govind organiser, Komaro from Josmir Ambulance, the never-say-never event doctor Dr Ben Ochieng and Muskan Sheikh for all the media content and photography.

“We have our marshalls who are all boda boda riders under Hamisi,” Paras goes on to explain, adding: “Sherali and Viraj from Mombasa Cement and their team have also been instrumental.”

 “We would also like to thank Mr Hasu Patel of Mombasa Cement for his endless support given to MMC and believing in our team to hold safe and fun events.”