Tinashe Gatimu and Suleiman Munyua were among the standout performers at Round Six of the Shell National AutoX and AutoX Plus Championship, held at the Kasarani Super Special Stage on October 10 and 11, 2026.
Gatimu emerged as the fastest lady on track in the Autocross competition, clocking 12 minutes and 29.151 seconds in the 4WD Turbo Car Restrictor 35mm category. Munyua recorded 13 minutes and 54.966 seconds in the 2WD Turbo Car category, demonstrating the competitive depth of the championship.
Organised by 254 Motorsports Club with support from Shell, the championship provides Kenyan drivers with a platform to sharpen their skills, gain competitive experience and test their capabilities against fellow competitors. Round Six attracted drivers across multiple categories as the 2026 season moves towards its conclusion.
Reflecting on his performance, Munyua said, “Every round is an opportunity to test yourself, learn from the competition and identify where you can improve. I am pleased with my performance at Kasarani, and the experience gives me more motivation to keep pushing, refine my driving and finish the season strongly. The competition continues to raise the bar, which is good for the growth of motorsport in Kenya.”
The Autocross competition delivered close contests across several categories. In the 2WD Non-Turbo Senior Car category, Michuki Hinga posted the fastest time of 12:01.065, followed by Fahim Abdulmalik in 12:15.912 and Muaaz Adil in 12:24.314.
In the 4WD Turbo Car Restrictor 35mm category, Amaan Ganatra led the field with 10:44.264. Harpreet Bhogal followed closely in 10:45.461, while Baldev Chager completed the top three in 10:53.063.
Gurdeep Bharij topped the 2WD Turbo Buggy category with a time of 11:11.465. In the Open Class, Rehan Shah recorded the fastest time of 11:17.462, narrowly ahead of Junaid Shah at 11:18.360. Ahil Khan finished third in 11:28.261.
The results highlighted the importance of precision, consistency and quick decision making in motorsport, with competitors using each round to improve their performances and strengthen their positions ahead of the season finale, expected in the last week of November.
The championship also comes at an exciting time for Kenyan motorsport, with the World Rally Championship (WRC) Safari Rally Kenya scheduled for March 18 to 21, 2027. The global event will bring leading rally teams and drivers back to Kenya, placing the country once again in the international motorsport spotlight.
“For the second consecutive year, Shell is proud to partner with 254 Motorsports to support the AutoX Rally and create a platform for developing Kenyan motorsport talent. We believe the next generation of motorsport champions could come from Kenya, but talent needs opportunities to compete, learn and sharpen their skills.
Commenting on the role of local championships in nurturing motorsport talent, Joanne Nyagah, Vivo Energy Kenya Manager, said, “AutoX provides an important platform for drivers to gain experience, sharpen their skills and build their competitive capabilities. With Kenya set to welcome the World Rally Championship back in 2027, this is an exciting time for our motorsport community. Shell is proud to support the journey of nurturing local talent and creating opportunities for more Kenyans to engage with the sport.”
While AutoX, AutoX Plus and the WRC Safari Rally feature different competition formats, local championships play an important role in developing driving talent. They provide opportunities for competitors to build confidence, strengthen their technical abilities and gain valuable experience under competitive conditions.
They also help grow the sport's audience by bringing together drivers, teams, families and enthusiasts, while introducing younger generations to the discipline, preparation and commitment required in motorsport.
Through its continued support of the championship, Shell is helping sustain a platform for local drivers to develop and for fans to experience the excitement of motorsport closer to home. The partnership reflects the value of working with local stakeholders to nurture talent, strengthen the sport and inspire future competitors.
As the championship heads towards its November finale, attention will turn to the remaining battles for points and the performances that will determine the season's outcomes. With the WRC Safari Rally Kenya scheduled for March 2027, the coming months present further opportunities to celebrate local talent and build momentum for Kenyan motorsport.
SELECTED AUTOCROSS ROUND 6 RESULTS
Provisional results, ranked by recorded time. Times represent the best of three heats.
4WD Turbo Car Restrictor 35mm
Amaan Ganatra – 10:44.264
Harpreet Bhogal – 10:45.461
Baldev Chager – 10:53.063
Sahib Omar – 10:58.766
Ankush Shah – 11:40.360
Tinashe Gatimu – 12:29.151
Safina Khan – 12:30.662
2WD Turbo Buggy
Gurdeep Bharij – 11:11.465
Harpreet Bhogal – 11:23.521
Open Class
Rehan Shah – 11:17.462
Junaid Shah – 11:18.360
Ahil Khan – 11:28.261
Javed Lota – 11:34.013
2WD Non-Turbo Senior Car
Michuki Hinga – 12:01.065
Fahim Abdulmalik – 12:15.912
Muaaz Adil – 12:24.314
Andriano Varese – 12:30.610
Suleiman Munyua – 12:35.014
2WD Turbo Car
Suleiman Munyua – 13:54.966
Cadet Junior Non-Turbo Buggy
Aayan Azim – 11:37.601
Andrea Tundo – 11:55.309
Eann Bengi – 11:57.805
Karamveer Rooprai – 12:28.817
Senior Non-Turbo Buggy
Leo Kangethe – 12:49.758
4WD Non-Turbo Car
Suleiman Abdulgani – 12:43.809
Quad Bikes
Satjote Saimbi – 13:02.611
Wayne Fernandes – 13:35.912
Beta Junior Non-Turbo Buggy
Allan Bengi – 12:53.312
Mohamed Rayyan – 15:52.250
Gibran Mohamed – 18:26.651
Alpha Junior Non-Turbo Buggy
Myles O’Neal – 16:40.610
