Tanzania's Nasser proud to finally finish the Safari Rally
Tanzanian Rally ace Yassin Nasser is proud to finally finish the Safari Rally after a few years of heartbreak.
Nasser, navigated by Ugandan Ali Katumba, finished 18th overall after a gruelling four day engagement on what is considered arguably the toughest rally on the FIA World Rally Championship calendar.
He ended up third on the African Rally Championship title chase as a result, behind winner Carl Tundo and Jeremy Wahome, both from Kenya.
Their previous record in the rally on two prior events was unfortunate.
In 2021, they suffered an engine knock forcing them to retire, while last year they were involved in a highly publicized crash where their vehicle lost control and rolled.
Considering their previous experiences, Nasser says he is thrilled to finally attempt and finish the Safari Rally.
"Finally, we have made it. This is so satisfying. The whole team’s efforts have paid off,” he told Kawowo Sport.
“This finish gave us some good points to start our fight for Africa Rally Championship title, one we would love to win before we can call it quits.”
His co-driver Katumba was equally happy to get to the finish line.
"We have had a great experience. Now we know how it feels finishing an event of this magnitude, he added.
Tundo, navigated by longtime co-driver Tim Jessop finished the rally with a cumulative time of 5 minutes 31.02 seconds while Wahome Jeremiah was placed second.
Tundo drove his Ford Fiesta R5 to seventh overall in the WRC2 category. Samman Vohra was fourth behind Nasser.
Africa Rally Championship results at Safari Rally Kenya 2025
1.Carl Flash Tundo/Tim Jessop -5.31.02
2.Wahome Jeremiah/Okundi Victor - 5.49.02
3.Nasser Yassin/Katumba Ali -6.39.19
4.Samman Vohra/Drew Sturrock -6.53.59
5. Nikhil Sachania/ Deep Patel -7.04.36
6. Minesh Rathod/ Gordon Noble -8.53.00