Esnah Moraa

So, I was recently asked which of the tracks we’ve driven this season is my favourite. Interestingly enough, Kasarani takes one of the top spots, closely followed by Stoni Athi 2. And honestly, choosing between the two is no easy task! Let’s talk about the routes. Stoni Athi has a myriad of tracks, many of them from the older KCB KNRC routes, alongside a few other creations dug up by Mindo and Joe Muchiri. Now, with either of these gentlemen calling the shots from the grader or earthmover seat, you can expect anything but a boring drive! Just when the turbo kicks in and you think you’re about to stretch the car’s legs, you’re thrown into a series of twists and turns, followed by an odd 1.5-kilometre straight, before you find yourself negotiating that famous roundabout around a tree. 😂 These tracks are brilliant when you have the right setup. But with black cotton soil, they are only as good as the weather. The moment it rains, the game changes completely! The straights and smoother sections are an absolute joy, but the rocky stretches around the dam can get downright nasty. And just when you think you’ve memorised the road, the rocks come out to bask in the sun! Then there are the boulders that Javed of Lota somehow manages to find and throw right back onto the road. You can never let your guard down! Then there’s Kasarani. Smooth, fast and seemingly inviting. But don’t let that fool you. Kasarani is deceptive, and that slipperiness will humble you in a heartbeat! You come in hot, brake into the corner, turn in and prepare to power out, only for the car to start gliding sideways the moment you lift off the throttle. The grip can disappear before your brain has even processed what’s happening! If you’re not ready for it, panic mode kicks in faster than you can shout “Mwathani!” 😂 But then again, what is rallying without a little panic, a healthy dose of adrenaline, clouds of dust, the smell of fuel and the sweet aroma of burning rubber? Different tracks, different challenges, different setups, but one thing remains constant: you have to respect the stage, trust your machine and stay sharp behind the wheel. Because out here, the track always has the final word! #shellvpower #Shellautocross #Shellautocrossplus #Shellhelix