As the world gears for the Junior World Rally Championship (WRC) in Sweden, a 27-year-old accountant is making a name for himself by representing Kenya.
Little known to many, McRae Kimathi is the son of famous rally driver Phineas Kimathi who is the President of the Kenya Motorsport Federation and the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the World Rally Championship (WRC). He was also the first person to win a Formula 2 title for the WRC event for Hyundai McRae.
Born in January 1995, Kimathi started racing in 2015 and has participated in various rally championships in the country.
During an interview on Thursday, February 17, he stated that the Swedish experience was quite challenging owing to the snow that covers the tarmac. Kimathi expressed that it was an experience that he would cherish forever.
"It is the first time I am seeing snow in my entire life and also the first time I am racing on snow. It is an interesting experience," he stated.
“It is really an eye-opener because it is not as slippery as you would think. There is so much grip and you can slide the car for even 10 to 20 meters,” he stated.
Despite not being considered as a favourite for the race, Kimathi stated that he would push himself to post good results.
In a different past interview, he added that there was a lot of pressure on him to win top titles and ape his father who won the Formula 2 title for the WRC
“I just don't want to finish the rally, I want to push my limits because there is no point in coming here for nothing. I hope that next year I will be more experienced,” he stated.
Despite the remarkable achievement he has made during his seven-year stint at the sport, Kimathi previously disclosed that many people compared him to his father, further piling on him more pressure to succeed.
"When you are a second-generation driver, people tend to look at our dads’ track records and expect a lot from you. Once you manage to create your own path and not think about the comparisons, the results come.”
"Mainly it’s the pressure that comes with the sport. In rallying, experience counts more than other sports," he stated.
When he is not behind the wheels, Kimathi works as an account for San Valencia Ltd, a hospitality company based in Lavington, Nairobi.
The 27-year-old’s expertise on the tracks has made him gain recognition among senior government officials. Former State House Chief of Staff Nzioka Waita offer him support and backed him to win the Junior World Rally Championship (WRC) in Sweden.
