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)

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Smithers, a renowned provider of testing, consulting, information and compliance services, has announced that its proving ground at Treadwell Research Park in Pearsall, Texas, has achieved ISO 17025 accreditation.

Operated on behalf of Discount Tyre, the facility’s accredited scope currently covers wet grip testing and tyre buffing, with plans to expand accreditation to include rolling resistance and pass-by-noise testing. The site boasts diverse paved and off-road test surfaces for comprehensive tyre performance validation. Additionally, it complies with UNECE Regulation No. 117 for Wet Grip and Pass-by Noise standards. This accreditation underscores Smithers' commitment to delivering high-quality testing services in the tyre industry.

Sean Connolly, Director of Test Track Operations at Smithers Winter Test Centre/Pearsall Test Track, said, “The tyre industry is currently focused on a variety of sustainability initiatives, such as reducing the rate of tread wear to extend the life of the tyre. Understanding tyre performance at varying levels of tread wear is critical for tyre manufacturers looking to get the most out of their designs.”

Jim Popio, PhD, Vice President, Smithers Materials Science and Engineering Division, North America, said, “We’re incredibly proud that our existing processes and procedures meet the rigorous requirements of ISO 17025 accreditation. Accurate data, on time, is central of the Smithers promise on a global scale, and we strive to go above and beyond our clients’ expectations with exceptional service as well.”

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Michelin, a leading tyre technology company, has launched its first Michelin Experience Store in India, in partnership with Bharat Tyres. The facility spread across 25,000 sqft is located in Adgaon on the Mumbai-Agra highway, Nashik and is Michelin’s largest store in the country.

It is designed not only to provide a premium experience, but also showcases the company’s global legacy through the Michelin Wall. Customers will also be to experience the Heritage Wall that visualise the heritage of both Michelin and its local dealership partner.

The Michelin Experience Store also has a Display Zone that showcases Michelin’s innovations in electric mobility, materials science and environmental responsibility.

The dealership also includes service areas for cars and trucks, PPF coating, precision wheel alignment, advanced balancing services, innovative puncture repair solutions, professional car detailing and a wide array of car accessories. 

Shantanu Deshpande, Managing Director, Michelin India, said, “We are proud to unveil Michelin’s first Experience Centre in India. The sole purpose of this store is to go beyond traditional tyre retail and provide customers an immersive experience of the brand, of our dealer partners and of the technological prowess of our tyre solutions that are safe and sustainable. Nashik, a key hub with growing premium vehicle ownership, is the first of many such centres that will further strengthen our footprint in the western region while providing state-of-the-art experience and services to evolving customers.”

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Radar Tyres, the flagship brand of Omni United, has appointed Sami Jauhojärvi, Olympic gold medallist and one of Finland’s most celebrated cross-country skiers, as its official brand ambassador.

Jauhojärvi's sporting excellence – built on resilience, performance and a profound connection with nature – mirrors Radar Tyres' commitment to delivering premium-quality tyres across all seasons and terrains at accessible prices. The brand's comprehensive range includes Summer, All Season, Winter and specialist Ice tyres, designed to meet diverse driving needs with reliable performance.

This collaboration represents a strategic alignment as Radar Tyres expands its European and UK presence. Jauhojärvi will serve as brand ambassador, featuring in marketing campaigns, digital initiatives and local events while sharing his expertise to support Radar Tyres' mission of making high-performance tyres available to all drivers.

G S Sareen, Founder and CEO of Omni United, said, “We’re excited to welcome Sami to the Radar family. Sami’s authenticity, credibility and strong connection with his audience make him an ideal partner for us. He embodies the spirit of perseverance and performance – the same qualities we build into every Radar tyre. As we continue to grow our brand across Europe, partnerships like this play a key role in building deeper connections with consumers. We’re excited to build on this momentum with more such collaborations in the near future.”

Jauhojärvi said, “I am thrilled to represent Radar Tyres, a brand that has a remarkable mission to make premium quality and performance accessible to all and also has deep-rooted values of giving back to society via various initiatives it has undertaken over the years such as supporting breast cancer research. I’m sincerely surprised about the performance and silence of my Radar Tyres and happy to deliver this feedback to all the people.”

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Kenda Tires is celebrating Dan ‘The Flying Dutchman’ Vanden Heuvel's nomination to the Off-Road Motorsports Hall of Fame's Class of 2025, recognising his legendary 49-year career as both a champion racer and community leader.

Since entering his first race at age 15 in 1977 at Crandon International Raceway, Vanden Heuvel has become one of off-road racing's most respected figures. His aggressive driving style earned him 20+ Pro-Class wins, five Crandon World Championships and a PRO-2 title. As owner of Flying Dutchman Racing, he mentored numerous drivers including his son Mikey, who secured Kenda Tires' historic first PRO-2 victory.

Beyond competition, Vanden Heuvel's greatest impact comes from his tireless community work. He co-founded the Midwest Off-Road Racing Association, created the Short Course Kart Series for young racers and established the MORR Injured Driver Fund with his wife Nancy. His hands-on approach – from building tracks to mentoring drivers – has shaped generations of off-road enthusiasts.

Now as Kenda Tires' Product Display Manager, Vanden Heuvel continues supporting the sport, assisting drivers across multiple series while representing Kenda at events nationwide. His dedication embodies the brand's values of community and passion for motorsports.

The formal induction ceremony will be held on 2 November 2025 in Las Vegas. This honour celebrates not just Vanden Heuvel's remarkable racing achievements but his enduring legacy as an ambassador who has profoundly influenced off-road culture.

Brandon Stotsenburg, VP of Automotive Division, Kenda Tires USA, said, “Dan is more than a legend – he is a mentor, a servant-leader and the beating heart of the off-road community. He helped deliver Kenda’s first PRO championship and still shows up for others every single weekend. We are honoured to have him represent Kenda and even more proud to call him family.”

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