Rally enthusiast Sam Karangatha, won a once in a life time opportunity to ride in a Rally 1 car in Naivasha. He won the experience by playing and winning the Red Bull My Safari game, an online quick-Fire session where participants were required to answer as many correct answers as possible in the fastest time.
To win the competition he answered all questions correctly in a span of 15 seconds.
Karangatha experienced this in a brand-new Ford Puma Rally1 at the 5.4km Ndulele Conservancy stretch in Loldia, Naivasha where he sat in the Co-driver’s seat with M-Sport Ford’s Adrien Fourmaux as the driver.
Reflecting on his experience riding in a rally car Sam said the opportunity gave him a firsthand experience on what he would like to do one day as an aspiring rally driver.
“I was so delighted when I got a call from Red Bull that I was the winner. I’m really happy to be here for the co-drive experience. As an upcoming rally driver, this was a dream come true, as I experienced the performance of the world’s best talent and machinery.”
The high-powered Rally1 hybrid cars have not competed anywhere else other than Europe. Kenya is the first location where the cars are racing for the first time outside Europe, at the sixth leg of the WRC series.
The high-profile hybrid cars are Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 by Toyota Gazoo Racing, Hyundai i20 N Rally1 by Hyundai Motorsports and the Ford Puma Rally1 by M-Sports Ford.
Reflecting on his navigator for the day Adrien Fourmaux said the ride was a good opportunity for the lucky fan to get a close insight on a real rally car drive.
“He was nice, he was enjoying the ride it was nice sharing the experience with him and I’m glad that he enjoyed every bit of the race.”
Rally Driver Fourmaux will be looking to make his make in this year’s Safari Rally. In 2020, he finished third in the WRC2 impressing the M- sports ford team and this effort impressed the M-Sports Ford team who rewarded him with a full seat in the WRC series in 2022.
Fourmaux is among the prolific international drivers who are looking for glory in the Safari Rally that revved-off at the KICC in Nairobi on Thursday and will traverse grueling terrains of Naivasha.
