Inspired by Tänak, driven by family: Tinashe Gatimu’s big dream in rallying

At just 20 years old, Tinashe Gatimu speaks about rallying with a calm confidence that belies both her age and the brutality of the sport she has chosen.

For Tinashe, rallying is not just about speed or spectacle. It is about learning, endurance, family, and a carefully plotted climb toward the highest levels of world motorsport. As she prepares for the 2026 WRC Safari Rally, her ambitions are clear, her plan is deliberate, and her tools have evolved.

This year marks Tinashe’s fourth appearance at the iconic Safari Rally, one of the toughest events on the World Rally Championship calendar. It also marks a significant step forward in machinery. For the 2026 edition, she will be behind the wheel of a Ford Fiesta R2, an upgrade from the Subaru GC8 she used previously. The change is not cosmetic, but strategic.

“The Ford Fiesta R2 is a powerful car, and it’s very nimble,” she says with visible excitement. “It’s designed for racing, so I can’t wait to get on track with it.”

Compared to the production-based cars she has driven before, the R2 represents a move closer to purpose-built rally machinery. Where the Subaru GC8 had character and demanded a dancing rhythm, the Fiesta R2 is sharper, more precise, and rewards commitment.

“It’s more of a point-and-shoot car, similar to the Evo,” she explains, referencing her earlier experience with a Mitsubishi EVO 9 during her WRC debut in 2023.

Preparation for the Safari Rally begins long before the cars roll into Naivasha, Nakuru County. The team plans to conduct thorough testing in the weeks leading up to the event, ensuring the Fiesta is properly dialed in for Kenya’s unforgiving terrain. In terms of setup, the focus is less on radical changes and more on refinement. The R2 package already offers a strong balance, so the team’s approach is about optimizing reliability, suspension setup, and driver comfort rather than chasing aggressive modifications. “So far, so good,” Tinashe says. “We’re happy with where we are.”

At the heart of this operation is family. Tinashe competes with her mother as co-driver, making them one of the few all-women crews in Kenyan rallying. After four years together, their chemistry is solid.

“We’ve ironed out most of the wrinkles,” she says with a smile.

“Having something we both love has increased our chemistry and our friendship.”

Her father, Mindo Gatimu, plays an equally critical role as the team’s senior mechanic. He prepares the car for every event, from autocross to rally, and is deeply embedded in the journey.

“Without him, we wouldn’t be here,” Tinashe says plainly.

The 2026 Safari Rally plan is pragmatic rather than flamboyant. “First of all, get to the finish line,” she notes. “Then we assess from there.” That philosophy is shaped by experience. Last year’s Safari was tough, with several challenges that tested both driver and team. But rather than discouraging her, those difficulties became lessons. “We learned a lot, I as a driver and as a team. This year is about improving on what we missed.”

Support has also been crucial. Tinashe is entering her second year of sponsorship with KCB, a partnership she does not take lightly. “We’re very grateful,” she says. “A lot of people would want to be in this position.”

Beyond financial backing, she values the mentorship and shared paddock space with seasoned drivers like Nikhil Sachania and former African champion Karan Patel. “I get to learn from them because they’ve been in the sport for a very long time.”

As a young woman in rallying, Tinashe is acutely aware of the wider significance of her presence. While Kenya has seen women compete in the sport before, the numbers have dwindled over time. She hopes visibility will help reverse that trend.

“We want more young girls to come in,” she says.

“Even if it’s as a driver, co-driver, marshal, or official, there’s a place for them.”

Personally, she says she has faced more support than resistance.

“The motorsport community has been very welcoming, and I’m grateful for that.”

Looking beyond Safari Rally, Tinashe’s ambitions stretch far beyond national borders. Her big dream is to compete consistently on international stages. This year, she plans to contest the African Rally Championship (ARC) full-time, building on her earlier ARC appearance in Rwanda.

“This first year is about learning the car, learning the roads, and being consistent,” she says.

Long term, the roadmap is clear: Junior WRC, Rally2, and ultimately Rally1.

Her role models reflect both proximity and aspiration. Locally, her mentor Eric Bengi has shaped much of her rally education. Internationally, she looks up to former world champion Ott Tänak.

“He’s a beast,” she says.

“Getting to interact with him at previous Safaris was surreal.”

As she prepares for another Safari Rally, Tinashe remains grounded. Her message to fans is simple: come out, support KCB, stay safe, and enjoy the spectacle. For her, the journey is still in its early stages, but with a clear plan, a stronger car, and an unshakable support system, the road ahead looks promising.