Three Lions (Motif for English National Identity) Safari Rally (The Hare Race)
Started initially as the Coronation rally in 1953, the Safari Rally was initiated whilst Queen Elizabeth was on her honeymoon in Kenya. It was later known as the East African Rally, Malboro Rally,KCB Rally, and today's WRC Safari Rally. It has now evolved to be the biggest motoring event in the African continent, eclipsing the Dakar rally. After three decades, it was moved out of the continent in 2008 due to terror threats in Mauritania. Another is the South African Grand Prix, which was part of Formula One Circuit until 1993 when it was discontinued due to financial problems. Sadly there are just over 500 registered rally drivers in the East African region. A sport that is loved by many has very few participants.
Initially, the 3200 kilometers safari took five days from May 27th to June 1st, 1953, from Nairobi to Morogoro in Tanzania and back to Nairobi. The second leg took the drivers to Kampala (Uganda) and back to Nairobi through dusty roads and paths that no routes existed. Rules were simple, get a document signed by the majors in Dar and Kampala in the shortest time possible, and you would be declared the winner. Clearly, the event organizers were not worried about fax machines, GPS or accompanying teams.
The WRC Safari rally this year did not disappoint despite coming after a 19-year-old hiatus. It was held in a 48,000-acre—Soysambu Conservancy against a backdrop of giraffes, lions, elephants and leopards. The eventual winner was Sebastien Ogier, a pre-event favourite. Covering an overall distance of 1,113 km and a travel distance of 813 km, he and his team emerged winners riding on the Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT. Local heroes Onkar Rai and Drew Sturrock were winners in the WRC Category 3. Kudos.
A Rhino (The tortoise race)
In the hare and tortoise tale, an enduring theme is that "The race is not for the swift but for those who endure it". A rhino charge is an annual event held in remote and wild areas in Kenya. It is an Off-road 4x4 competition in Kenya that seeks to conserve and protect Kenyan Mountain Range Eco-systems (Water Towers). Today, the Rhino Ark Charitable Trust has raised over USD 16 million for erecting a fence that is 650 km long, and this has reduced the human-wildlife conflict. Funds have also been channelled into protecting the endangered Rhino.
Termed as an endurance race, the entrants must visit several guard posts, while travelling the shortest possible route across a merciless, trackless and often rocky terrain. As if not enough, speed is penalized. Restricted to 65 entrants, the 4x4 drivers have to cover a distance of approximately 100 km in 10 hours (Max) by ensuring that every guard post is visited. The winner is the entrant who visits all the GPS posts provided in the shortest distance possible. Only 65 entrants are allowed. It is my all-time favourite motorsport—a real test of man and machine versus nature.
The Rhino charge route remains a secret until the day of the event to prevent competitors from looking up the route on GPS ahead of time. It is the ultimate test of bravery and level of skill in off-road driving and navigation. A little like the driving through the sand dunes in Dubai laced with the wild thrill of the unknown.
Manoj Shah (A roaring Lion par excellence)
A philanthropically endowed racer who has used over USD 10 million of his money in enriching and transforming the lives of others, Dr Manoj Shah is both an enigma and adorably approachable. A man of different hats, Dr Shah is, among other things. He is the Group Managing Director of the Kingsway Group of Chairman of Kingsway group of companies (Which includes Kingsway Tyres Ltd). Shah is also Governing council member of the Automobile Association of Kenya, Former president of the Kenya Motor Sports Club and An Ambassador of Goodwill awarded by the Lions Club International.
From the tender age of 16, Manoj has always been crazy for cars and took a keen interest in major sports, locally and internationally. Manoj had been about speed – blistering, binding and badass speed. His mantra – 'Damn the torpedos, full speed ahead.'
He started with a borrowed Peugeot 504, to self-owned Datsun 120J, Datsun 710, Nissan PA 10, and eventually retiring with a Nissan 240RS in 1985 after his father's-Ramnilalji- death. In his early days, he took various defensive and motorsports driving lessons to develop his competitive and navigation skills. He later joined the Kenya Motor Sport Council. During his Safari Rally travails, young Manoj had to face several accidents, two rollovers and a head-on collision with an Antelope, almost drowning whilst crossing a seasonal river and facing a breakdown in a jungle among elephants.
After retiring from Rally Driving, Dr Manoj continued his support for the sport by ensuring Kingsway Tyres Ltd sponsored the motorsport by sponsoring teams, supplying Michelin and BF Goodrich tyres, and offering tyre preventive and maintenance services.
In his recently published Autobiography (One in Million) he shares with me the following Motorsports gems in an interview:
"In racing, it is believed that you go where eyes go. The driver who cannot tear his eyes away from the wall as he spins out of control will hit the wall. The driver who looks down on the track as he feels the tyres break free will regain control of the vehicle".
"I have come to believe that if we hope to build a better world, we must be guided by the universal human values that emphasize the kinship of human race – the sanctity of human life and freedom, peace between nations, honesty and truthfulness, regard for rights of others and love for one fellows".
In Ernest Hemmingways words "Auto-racing, bulling fighting and mountain climbing are the only real sports…..all others are games".
Dr Manoj believes that the future of Motor sports in Africa will be improve with better roads, safer drivers , better highway signage, and training. Today he remarks worse than the wild animals , boda boda (Motor cycle ) operators pose a bigger threat to motorists. (TT)
Falken Wins BRV Service Award For Excellence In Tyre Retail Partnership
- By TT News
- June 19, 2026
Falken has been named the recipient of the prestigious BRV Service Award, as announced by the German Tyre Retail and Vulcanisation Trade Association during its General Meeting on 8 June 2026. As a brand operating under Dunlop Tyre Europe GmbH, Falken emerged victorious from a competitive online survey where over 250 tyre trade members cast their votes to determine the industry’s most outstanding partner.
This accolade specifically recognises Falken’s superior service standards and its commitment to fostering a reliable and cooperative relationship with its retail partners. The overwhelming vote of confidence from the trade serves as a significant form of recognition for the company, while simultaneously acting as a powerful incentive for the entire Falken workforce to maintain their high-performance levels.
Thomas Langer, Sales Director Germany, Dunlop Tyre Europe GmbH, said, “The news of a top ranking in the BRV Service Award was already a special honour, as it comes directly from the specialist tyre trade. We are now even more delighted to celebrate the overall victory. We would like to express our sincere thanks for this recognition. First place confirms our commitment to offering Falken partners not only reliable and safe products, but above all, dependable service, personalised support and a truly partnership-based collaboration. The fact that the trade has voted the entire team’s efforts into first place motivates us to continue pursuing our goals with determination.”
AZuR Reports Strong Outcomes And Network Growth At THE TIRE COLOGNE 2026
- By TT News
- June 19, 2026
The Alliance for the Future of Tires (AZuR) has concluded its participation at The Tire Cologne 2026 with a positive assessment, operating through a network of 19 affiliated organisations across Europe. Their shared exhibition space in Hall 7.1 emerged as a central meeting point during the industry's premier global gathering. Key episodes included a governmental visit, a strategic industry forum and recognition for emerging enterprises.
An immersive installation greeted visitors to the AZuR area, with the entire floor surface consisting of resilient tiles produced from recycled tyre rubber supplied by network affiliate MRH Mülsen. This practical display offered a compelling illustration of how discarded materials can be transformed into functional products. The collaborative exhibition model proved highly favourable among attendees and participating companies alike.
The initiative broadened its collaborative base during the fair, securing commitments from new entities in Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands to advance shared sustainability objectives. North Rhine-Westphalia's environment minister, Oliver Krischer, toured the exhibition as part of a broader initiative to spotlight regional excellence in circular practices, observing demonstrations spanning digital monitoring, alternative materials and recovery processes.
A dedicated assembly on tyre retreading drew roughly 40 specialists from manufacturing, materials supply and trade associations. Conversations revolved around the technology's track record and adaptation to market conditions, referencing recent environmental performance data. Survey feedback indicated robust confidence in retreading's financial and environmental merits, though participants identified competition from lower-cost imports as a primary obstacle.
The programme concluded with the LOOP THE TYRE competition awards. The top honour went to Machine-Vision.io from Reutlingen for its optical evaluation system streamlining used tyre assessment. Sustainable Rubber Solutions from the Netherlands received second prize for its chemical innovation enabling rubber reintegration into new compounds, while Austria's ReTyre project claimed third for developing a scalable devulcanisation method for tyre-to-tyre recycling.
Anna-Maria Guth, AZuR Network Coordinator, said, “TTC impressively demonstrated the high level of interest in a functioning tyre circular economy. We were particularly pleased with the exceptionally positive atmosphere at our joint stand. Our partners see themselves as equal contributors to a common goal and as partners in a strong alliance for the future.”
Prinx Chengshan Marks 50th Anniversary With European Launch Of Prinx CV Tires At The Tire Cologne 2026
- By TT News
- June 19, 2026
Prinx Chengshan marked a significant milestone at The Tire Cologne 2026 in Germany on 9 June, where it officially introduced its Prinx-brand commercial vehicle tyres to the European market. The launch event, held during the prestigious trade fair, served as a commemorative highlight for the 50th anniversary of the Chengshan Group. While the company showcased its full portfolio of brands, including Chengshan, Austone and Fortune, the European debut of the Prinx commercial tyre line commanded the primary focus of industry attendees.
Senior company representatives provided comprehensive insights into the strategic initiative during the event. Officials from the Europe and Americas Sales Center, the R&D Center and the European Technical Center outlined the company's developmental trajectory, manufacturing scale and proprietary technological advancements. The presentations emphasised the integration of intelligent manufacturing systems and global research capabilities, with particular attention given to how the Prinx brand is developing future-oriented commercial solutions tailored specifically for European fleet operators.
The Prinx brand, positioned as a premium offering, leverages three intelligent manufacturing facilities located in China, Thailand and Malaysia, combined with the localised expertise of its European Technical Center. The company has concentrated its research efforts on six core technologies, including low rolling resistance and high wear resistance features, complemented by an intelligent tyre monitoring system. A strategic partnership with Marangoni, a prominent European retreading material manufacturer, further strengthens the brand's comprehensive service capabilities.
For its market entry, Prinx launched three initial product series covering nine tread patterns suitable for long-haul and regional mixed road conditions. Future product expansion plans include tyres for mixed-use applications, city buses, long-distance coaches and winter conditions. Since announcing its European passenger car tyre initiative in Milan in 2023, the brand has rapidly enhanced its product matrix and reinforced its market presence through branding initiatives and sponsorship of major racing championships.
With five decades of industry experience, Prinx Chengshan is accelerating its global strategy through a product-plus-service philosophy. The company aims to deliver customized solutions addressing the complete tyre lifecycle by combining Chinese manufacturing heritage with international research and development networks. This approach positions the company to precisely meet localised European market demands while inviting global partners to contribute to a sustainable transportation future.
Recycled Tyre Technology Provides Durable Solution For Flood-Prone Georgia Road
- By TT News
- June 19, 2026
Grady County, Georgia, has successfully addressed the persistent issue of flood-damaged roads by implementing an innovative and sustainable construction method on Lower Cairo Road. The project tackled chronic washouts that had long plagued the area, where conventional repairs consistently failed during heavy rainstorms. The chosen solution involved a significant elevation of the roadway and the reinforcement of its foundation, moving beyond temporary surface fixes to target the root causes of the flooding.
The county utilised a technique known as Mechanical Concrete, which employs recycled tyre cylinders to create a durable and flexible road base. In this process, scrap tyres are processed into cylindrical units and arranged in a grid pattern. These interconnected cylinders are then filled with aggregate, in this case, reclaimed asphalt pavement, to form a robust foundation. This system effectively distributes the weight of traffic and provides superior resistance to erosion, directly countering the forces that previously caused washouts.
The specific work on Lower Cairo Road covered a length of 880 linear feet and a width of 18 feet, raising the road's elevation by 12 inches. The project successfully incorporated 3,300 recycled scrap tyre cylinders, demonstrating a significant commitment to sustainability by diverting waste from landfills. The enhanced drainage and structural stability provided by this method are expected to drastically reduce the frequency and cost of future maintenance, offering a long-term solution to the community's flooding woes.
The success of Grady County’s initiative highlights a scalable and cost-effective approach for other municipalities facing similar infrastructure challenges. This method proves particularly beneficial for rural networks and low-lying regions with limited budgets. By demonstrating how to build resilient roads using recycled materials, Grady County has provided a practical model for enhancing infrastructure durability while promoting environmental stewardship.
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