MOTORSPORTS Jim Heather-Hayes named 2023 Motorsport personality of the year

KMSF honors late rally legend Jim Heather-Hayes as 2023's best personality.

The Kenya Motor Sports Federation (KMSF) has posthumously awarded the legendary Safari Rally driver Jim Heather-Hayes as the best personality of the year 2023. 

This recognition is a poignant homage to Heather-Hayes, who passed away in 2022, and underscores his profound influence and enduring legacy in the world of motorsport.

Heather-Hayes, revered as one of the sport's greatest icons, is celebrated for his exceptional contributions to rallying. 

His career, marked by a pinnacle moment in the 1990 Safari Rally where he finished sixth overall, left an indelible mark on the sport. 

His initial foray into the challenging terrains of the Safari Rally as a World Rally Championship event dates back to 1984, a year significant for its Marlboro sponsorship and inclusion in the World Rally Championship series.

The KMSF Chairman, Maina Muturi, paid special tribute to Heather-Hayes.

 "It's a testament to his dedication and hard work, as well as his passion for motorsports over the years," he stated.

The 2023 KMSF awards ceremony, a prestigious annual event celebrating Kenyan motorsports personalities, was graced by luminaries including Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba and Principal Secretary Peter Tum. 

The occasion also celebrated African Rally Champions Karan Patel and Hamza Anwar, the latter winning the continental junior Championship.

The ceremony, held at the iconic Carnivore in Nairobi, also recognized the season’s champions, highlighting the accomplishments of Kenya National Rally overall champions, siblings Jasmeet and Ravi Chana. 

Jasmeet, a second-generation driver, boasts a remarkable record, having won in almost every motor rallying category in Kenya.

In another highlight of the event, Tim Jessop, renowned for guiding Carl Tundo to a record five ARC Safari Rally titles as a navigator, was celebrated as the overall Kenya National Rally Raid Champion. 

Siblings Chantal and Zane Young were honored for their victory in the Rally Raid Buggy class, showcasing the growing diversity and talent in Kenyan motorsports.

Rising Star Neel Gohil received accolades for his unprecedented double victory in the Kenyan National Autocross category, alongside other notable winners such as Eric Bengi (4WD-T), John Kadivani (Open), and Azaad Manji (2WD -T).

In a powerful address, CS Ababu Namwamba stressed the importance of enhancing the Kenya National Rally Championship and related motorsports disciplines. 

"We cannot continue savoring bragging rights of hosting the toughest and most popular WRC event globally yet our local rally championship is not robust," he stated.

The event also welcomed international guests, including the president of Rwanda Automobile Club Christian Gakwaya and his Ugandan counterpart Dipu Ruparelia, underscoring the event's regional significance and the growing prominence of East African motorsport.

 Follow Pulse Sports WhatsApp channel for more updates.

KMSF CHAMPIONSHIP WINNERS- 2023

KENYA NATIONAL RALLY RAID CHAMPIONSHIP 2023

Rally Raid Champion: Tim Jessop

Rally Raid Top Driver: Alasdair Keith

Rally Raid Top Navigator: Charles Mousley

Prototype Class Driver: Mark Glen

Prototype Class Navigator: Douglas Rundgren

Modified Class Driver: Alasdair Keith

Modified Class Navigator: Charles Mousley

Buggy Class Driver: Zane Young

Buggy Class Navigator: Chantal Young

KENYA NATIONAL TARMAC CHAMPIONSHIP WINNERS 2023

4WD Class: Leroy Mwamba 

2WD Class: Moses Mwendwa

 KENYA NATIONAL KARTING CHAMPIONSHIP WINNERS 2023

Bambino Comer Class: Wilf Mulyanga

Cadet Class: Bixente Rio Wyles

Rotax Junior Max Class: Krrish Vadgama

KENYA NATIONAL 4 x 4 CHAMPIONSHIP WINNERS 2023 

Beginner Driver: Gabriel Lauvaux/ Beginner Co – Driver: Olivier Lauvaux

Intermediate Driver: Ben Waiyaki / Intermediate Co – Driver: Prabjot Saimbi

Expert Driver: Gurashish Singh / Expert Co – Driver: Kunal Patel

Super Expert Driver Oliver: Lauvaux / Super Expert Co – Driver: John Herbert

KENYA NATIONAL AUTOCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP WINNERS 2023

Class 1 - 2wd Non-Turbo Buggy: Neel Gohil

Class 2 - 2wd Non-Turbo: Car Neel Gohil

Class 3 - 2wd Turbo Buggy: Azaad Manji

Class 4 - 4wd Non-Turbo: Jose Sardinha

Class 5 - 4wd Turbo: Eric Bengi

Class 6 – Open: John Kadivane

Class 8 – Bambino: Eann Bengi

Class 9 - Junior 2wd Non-Turbo: Karamveer Singh Roopra

Class 10 – Peewee: Allan Bengi

FIA ARC CHAMPIONSHIP WINNERS 2023

Driver: Karan Patel/Co – Driver: Tauseef Khan

KENYA NATIONAL RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP WINNERS 2023

KNRC Group Classic: Driver Ian Duncan/ Co – Driver: Jaspal Matharu 

KNRC Group 2wd: Driver Daren Miranda /Co - Driver: Linet Ayuko

KNRC Group SPV: Driver Jose Sardinha/Co - Driver Shameer Yusuf

KNRC Group S: Driver Kush Patel/Co – Driver: Mudasar Chaudry

KNRC Group Rally Raid: Driver Chinu Matharu /Co – Driver: Raju Chaggar

KNRC Group B13: Driver Jasmeet Chana /Co – Driver: Ravi Chana

KNRC Group N: Driver Nikhil Sachania/Co – Driver: Deep Patel

KNRC Group Rally 3: Driver McRae Kimathi/Co – Driver: Mwangi Kioni

KNRC Group Rally 2: Driver Samman Vohra/Co – Driver: Alfir Khan

KNRC Overall Champions: Driver Jasmeet Chana/Co – Driver: Ravi Chana