Isuzu Donates Ksh. 100k to Support the Only Female Driver in 2021 Safari Rally

Isuzu East Africa has extended a 100,000-shilling sponsorship package to support “Team Maxine” – the only female driver participating in the 2021 World Rally Championship (WRC) Safari Rally.

Having won numerous awards from Motor Cross racing locally and internationally, Maxine Wahome and her navigator Chantal Young are geared up for this year’s Kenya circuit.

Maxine, the daughter of the rally driver Jimmy Wahome, has had quite a career. She began her riding career at the age of 12 with a KTM 85cc Bike before up to a 250cc motorcycle. She has participated in national and international races.

She switched from motocross to rallying because she had always dreamed of being an autocross driver.

“Switching from two wheels to four wheels wasn’t so hard as I used to drive a manual car once in a while so learning how to drive was easy. The hard part was been learning the hand brake turns and left foot braking,” Maxine once said in an interview.

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According to Maxine, racing against men is quite challenging as it forces her to train harder and smarter. She notes that she had to change her diet to maintain a healthy physique and practice some laps on the track at least three to four times a week and at the gym five times a week.

Maxine further stated that as an all-female rally team, they have encountered a lot of challenges during the preparations for the 2021 World Rally Championship (WRC) Safari Rally but through sponsorships such as Isuzu’s, the burden has been lessened.

“Isuzu’s purpose is to improve the lives of the community. We believe in supporting sports talent, the youth, and women empowerment,” said Isuzu’s Managing Director, Rita Kavashe, as she expressed enthusiasm for Team Maxine.

While handing over the sponsorship check, Ms. Kavashe urged Maxine and her team to demonstrate to the world that women can compete head-to-head with their male counterparts and win if they have legitimate support.

Isuzu’s donation to Team Maxine encompasses driver and car preparation throughout the season, spare parts, and operational logistics. The package goes in line with the motor firm’s commitment to supporting sports talent in Kenya. Isuzu has been demonstrated this commitment through its involvement in various initiatives such as the mentorship programs at Secondary Schools and the ongoing Livelihood program for Kenya’s national Women Rugby team the Lionesses.