With renewed energy, lowered participation costs, and a fresh grassroots approach, the club has brought veterans and the next generation of drivers back to the dirt tracks.
Among the exciting new faces are Michuki Hinga, son of rally veteran Charles Hinga, Adriano Varese, son of Leonardo Varese, and the Chatthe brothers’ sons, continuing the legacy of champion Jassi Chatthe.
Youngster Neel Gohil in action/HANDOUTKenyan motorsport is roaring back to life this weekend as the Tai Racing / Shell 2025 Autocross and Autocross Plus Championship Round 5 heads to the scenic Stoni Athi Resort & Ranch.For the first time in more than a decade, the event has attracted over 50 competitors — a clear sign of revival for a sport that was left reeling after regulatory wrangles in 2024.The newly registered 254 Motorsports Club has been credited with sparking this resurgence. With renewed energy, lowered participation costs, and a fresh grassroots approach, the club has brought veterans and the next generation of drivers back to the dirt tracks.Among the exciting new faces are Michuki Hinga, son of rally veteran Charles Hinga, Adriano Varese, son of Leonardo Varese, and the Chatthe brothers’ sons, continuing the legacy of champion Jassi Chatthe.The youngsters are already showing promise, proving the future of Kenyan rallying is in capable hands.The entry list also features some of the country’s biggest names. Karan Patel and Nikhil Sachania, both flying the Kenyan flag on the international stage in the African Rally Championship (ARC). Motorsport icons Baldev Chagger, Asad Anwar, and Eric Bengi are also returning to action, while FIA Stars Champion Hamza Anwar is gearing up to kick up some dust.Unlike past editions that capped entries at 40, this year’s organisers have opened the field wide.Clerk of the Course (COC) Muqsit Hussain said the two-day format and the venue’s proximity to Nairobi make it possible to welcome as many participants as possible.“We are happy to host such a strong entry list this time around,” Hussain said. “The club had a vision to revive motorsport from its near standstill in 2024. To achieve that, we had to get drivers and cars back on track. We introduced longer, rally-style stages as part of our grassroots initiative, which has been very well received, and we made sure to cut costs so every shilling went back into the sport.”The results are undeniable. With the backing of sponsors, including Shell, Tai Racing, CFAO, JCB Ganatra and Go Sport, the event has recorded a historic number of entries. Hussain says this is just the beginning:“This is a rebirth for Kenyan motorsport. We are hopeful that with continued growth, a new federation — Motorsport Kenya — will soon be registered, paving the way for even greater development locally," he said.With a mix of seasoned champions, young blood, and a passionate organiing team, the Stoni Athi showdown promises thrilling action and a powerful reminder that Kenyan motorsport is back on track — and stronger than ever.
Youngster Neel Gohil in action/HANDOUT
