Timothy Albrite
The Kenya Motor Sports Federation (KMSF) will, on Saturday, January 27th, 2024 honour the country’s top motorsport personalities at the 2023 Annual Awards Gala. The event will be held in Carnivore, Nairobi.
This annual tradition, will shine a spotlight on the champions across various categories, including Tarmac Racing, 4X4, Autocross, the national rally series known as KNRC, National Rally Raid, and Karting championships. The KMSF aims to applaud the skill and determination of Kenya’s racing elite, highlighting the remarkable contributions that have defined the motorsports landscape in the country.
The pinnacle of the evening will be the announcement of the highly coveted ‘Motorsport Personality of the Year 2023’ award. This title, kept under wraps until the gala night, adds an element of suspense and excitement to the event, as the motorsports community eagerly anticipates the unveiling of the individual to be crowned as the epitome of excellence in the field.
Last year, Karan Patel won this award, recognized for his exceptional achievements in the national rally championship and the continental ARC series. Patel’s triumph in winning his maiden national rally championship title and securing the second position in the continental ARC series behind Leroy Gomes of Zambia earned him the Motorsport Personality of the Year accolade.
The list of stars to be feted at the gala includes the dynamic duo of Kenya National Rally Champions, siblings Jasmeet and Ravi Chana, as well as Rally Raid overall champion Tim Jessop. Jasmeet, a second-generation driver, boasts a remarkable record, having triumphed in virtually all categories of motor rallying in Kenya, including Group N, Divisions 1 and 3, and Two Wheel Drive in his early racing days.
Rising star Neel Gohil, aged just 15, will be honored for his unprecedented double win in the National Autocross category. Gohil, displaying immense potential, is set to make a grand entrance into the motorsport scene this season, driving a locally constructed Subaru N10.
The karting champions who will be recognized for their exceptional performances on asphalt include Wilf Alobo (Bambino), Rio Bixente (Cadet), and Krrish Vadgama (Rotax Junior). Tarmac champions Leroy Otto (4WD) and Moses Mwendwa (2WD) will also receive accolades for their achievements.
The gala will also pay tribute to Karan Patel and Tauseef Khan for their remarkable triumph in clinching the FIA African Rally Championship (ARC) drivers and navigators titles, respectively. The National Rally Raid Championship, which provided a thrilling wet season-closer in Kitengela, will be in focus, with Tim Jessop crowned as the overall Raid winner, Mark Glen winning the Prototype class, Alasdair Keith securing the Modified championship title, and Charles Mousely clinching the Navigator championship.