•McRae said his father has been advising him on how to carve a different trajectory in his career
•The youngster admitted he has a duty to do justice to Colin McRae's name
•McRae was speaking on Thursday morning after he was crowned February's LG/SJAK Sports Personality
Image: ERICK BARASA
Kenyan rally driver McRae Kimathi says he wants to surpass his dad's, Phineas Kimathi, achievements in motorsports by becoming the first African to clinch the World Rally Championship drivers' title.
Kimathi, now chair of Kenya Motorsports Federation, is a rallying legend, having participated in the Safari Rally in 1994, 1999 and 2000 and won Hyundai its first WRC Formula Two title, 22 years ago.
McRae said his father has been a huge and positive influence on his career and wishes for him to scale the greatest heights.
"We share the same passion for rallying... he was a Kenyan champion in his time. We banter one another from time to time and I would really want to eclipse him. He is always advising and motivating me, telling me what I need to carve my own trajectory," he said.
Named after Scottish rallying legend Colin McRae, the youngster admitted he has a duty to do justice to the name.
"Unfortunately, I never had the opportunity to meet him (Colin McRae— now deceased) but I used to watch him on TV when I was a kid. Everyone associates my name with rallying and I come from a rallying family. I am really motivated by that and want to become the first African to win the WRC title," McRae said.
"There are similarities between Colin and I. He used to drive a Ford as I do so I hope history repeats itself. I am really passionate about motorsports and it is something I am keen to pursue to the end."
Navigated by Mwangi Kioni, the accountant made history when he became the first Kenyan to compete at the Junior WRC Rally in Sweden in February, where he finished fourth.
McRae said his exploits in the ice-cold Scandinavian country have fueled his desire to do more in upcoming competitions, including the WRC circuit in Croatia.
"I always had a dream to compete in the WRC and I made it. If you work hard in pursuit of your dreams, there is nothing that is impossible. Right now my focus is on the African Rally Championships in two weeks before I head to Croatia," he said.
McRae was speaking on Thursday morning after he was crowned the LG/SJAK Sports Personality for the month of February.
Speaking at the same event, Kimathi exalted the role of corporate partners in taking Kenyan sports to the next level.
"I am here as a parent and not the chair of KMSF or CEO of Safari Rally. I am really proud my son is able to do what he is doing. I think it is the prayer of all of us that we are able to sire children who will take after us. The relationship between sports and the corporate sector is a really special one," Kimathi said.
At the same function, the electronics giant LG announced the renewal of their partnership with the sports scribes' body towards the monthly awards.
"We are investing at least Sh6.6 million and banking on your support to achieve this at least every quarter. As we renew our commitment once again, we are determined to make sports more appealing to current and budding players across the country. Sports continues to be an essential vehicle for socio-economic transformation," LG Managing Director, Sa Nyoung Kim said.