Yassin Nasser and Timothy Gawaya to Fly the Uganda Flag High at WRC Safari Rally Kenya 2025
By Mwambazi Lawrence
It’s that time of the year again when rally fans dust off their vuvuzelas, pack their cooler boxes, and load up their most patriotic Ugandan outfits! The legendary WRC Safari Rally Kenya is upon us, and this time, Uganda will be proudly represented by two fearless warriors: Yassin Nasser and Timothy Gawaya. The event, scheduled from March 20th to 23rd, promises dust and everything a true rally fan lives for!
Unlike Timothy Gawaya, who is stepping onto the Safari Rally battlefield for the first time, Yassin Nasser is practically a seasoned warrior in these treacherous terrains. He has braved the Safari Rally four times before, each time adding more stories to tell his grandchildren in the future. But if you thought experience guarantees a smooth ride, think again last year’s Safari Rally taught him a lesson the hard way.
In 2024, Yassin’s Ford Fiesta R5 did what every rally car does best: misbehave at the worst possible moment. A nasty crash sent him and his co-driver Ali Katumba straight into an involuntary break. Some say the car was trying to test his patience; others believe it was simply being rebellious. Either way, Yassin took a short break to rebuild his beloved Fiesta, giving it some tough love and a few stern words about discipline. This year, he returns to the Safari Rally with one clear mission: to FINISH. No theatrics, no unnecessary acrobatics just a clean rally from start to finish.
While Yassin is returning like a prodigal son, Timothy Gawaya and his co-driver, Wamala Francis, are stepping onto Safari rally for the very first time. This duo will be piloting their Seat Ibiza, a car that might as well be praying for strength as we speak. With only one objective in mind to finish the rally the team is expected to approach the Safari stages with utmost caution, possibly even whispering to the car to behave every morning before the start.
Rumor has it that Gawaya has already been watching videos of lions and elephants, just in case they decide to turn into unexpected spectators. With the Safari Rally’s reputation for unpredictability, this is not paranoia it’s survival instinct!
James Emaru, the president of Rally Hunters, a group of Ugandan rally fans who religiously travel to the Safari Rally, shared his excitement: “This year, we are coming in full force! Ugandan fans don’t just watch rally we live it. We shall be there to make sure our boys feel at home and the Kenyans know we mean business!” Of course, what’s a rally without the madness of Ugandan fans? From Kampala to Nairobi, a convoy of passionate supporters is already warming up for the great pilgrimage. Armed with flags, drums, and enough energy to power a small town, the fans will be there to ensure that no one in Kenya forgets that Uganda is in the building!
Expect chants of “Kavuyo Pulesa” (Total Chaos) along the stages, expect nyama choma to be devoured in ridiculous quantities, and expect the occasional lost Ugandan fan asking for directions to the next stage while claiming to know every corner of Kenya. It’s all part of the experience!
The WRC Safari Rally is not just any rally; it’s the granddaddy of all motorsport endurance tests. The unforgiving Kenyan terrain has no mercy, and it treats all cars with equal hostility whether it’s a high-end R5 machine or a humble Seat Ibiza. Punctures are a guarantee, dust will be inhaled in kilograms, and suspensions will question their life choices.Yassin’s Fiesta and Gawaya’s Ibiza are both in for a serious workout. Will they cross the finish line in one piece, or will they come out looking like they’ve just survived a battle zone? Only time will tell.
As the countdown to March 20th begins, all eyes will be on Yassin Nasser and Timothy Gawaya. Whether they return as victors or as mechanics’ worst nightmares, one thing is for sure they will give it their all. And regardless of the results, Uganda will celebrate them as heroes.
So, dear rally lovers, buckle up, stock up on snacks, and get ready for the madness that is the WRC Safari Rally Kenya 2025! May the engines roar, the dust rise, and the Ugandan spirit shine through it all!
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