Next weekend, something amazing will be happening in a small town in Laikipia County in Kenya—Nyahururu Town. Motorsports Kenya will host a battle of automobiles at the Nyahururu Airstrip between Kenya and South Africa. I am an avid lover of cars, and cars have taken me places. This time, I’ll be heading to this small town located north of Nakuru City.
Surprisingly, not too many people know Nyahururu Town. They only know it because of a famous tourist attraction—Thomson’s Falls. A little walk down memory lane reveals that Nyahururu was originally founded as Thomson’s Falls. It was named after the 74-foot Waterfall emanating from the Ewaso Narok River, a great water source for the famous Aberdare Mountain Ranges.
2024 WRC Is Over Sunset Corsa Nyahururu Event Takes Center Stage
Kenyans love Motorsports, and after the 2024 WRC earlier in the year, many motor fans will be looking forward to this street racing event at the Nyahururu Airstrip.
Since I was in Nakuru for a short trip, I decided to tour the small town in anticipation of the events that would take place between May 4th and 5th, 2024.
Nakuru to Nyahururu Via B5 Road
I took the easier route, driving through Nakuru to Nyahururu. It takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes via the B5 road (Nakuru-Nyahururu) that will take you through Menegai, Mairu Kumi, Bahati, Subukia, Laikipia University, and finally into Nyahururu town.
Nairobians can opt to use the Naivasha – Gilgil – Nyahururu route, which takes about 4 hours, or opt for the Nyeri route, which also takes about the same time but with more towns along the way.
This is a road trip I would take all the way past Nyahururu town to Nyeri. The roads are beautiful, there’s minimal traffic, and traffic police are on the way. You’ll love the greenery and scenery on the road, and if you are a nature lover like myself, you’ll find yourself stopping at every spot to take in the air and views of the windy country roads.
I’ve always been an early planner. I know there will be many last-minute rushes by Narobians to attend the motoring event, considering there will be a foreign car in attendance this time round, all the way from South Africa. It was also a good chance to check out accommodation and restaurants in the town.
Kenyan Street Racers Face South African Competition at Sunset Corsa Event in Nyahururu
This will be the first time Kenyan street racers will face foreign competition from countries other than Tanzania and Uganda, which have been the country’s biggest rivals ever since street racing was a thing in the East African community.
South Africa is considered a first-world country and a leader in Commerce on the entire continent. Therefore, if Kenyan street racers perform well against a South African-tuned street race car, Kenyans will take a spot in the global seat as professional street racers.
This will not only increase the bragging rights but will also ensure Kenyan street racing competitions are taken seriously on a global scale. Global players, including aftermarket part suppliers, automotive brands, and motorsports events, will warm up against the East African country – further developing the motorsports scene in Africa as a continent.
Not the Usual Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda Affair but East Africa Versus South Africa
So, what’s the fuss about the South African car coming down to Kenya for the Motorsports Sunset Corsa Event at the Nyahururu Airstrip?
Well, there’s a history between Kenya and South Africa Motorsports. It’s obvious that South Africa is well ahead of Kenya in the sport and takes the East African country as their small sibling when it comes to street races. That’s because South Africa has enjoyed a long, illustrious history with the biggest automotive brands, including Volkswagen, BMW, and many others, setting camp in the country.
As a result, South Africa took up motorsports due to inspiration and the long-lasting relationship between its government and big automotive brands. For Kenya, the inspiration comes from its long history with the East African Rally and, much more recently, The World Rally Championship ‘Safari Rally,’ which came back to Kenya after a long hiatus.
Don’t get me wrong. The special visitor will not be representing South Africa, but it will be a worthy measure for Kenyans to gauge themselves on a continental scale in street racing.
South Africa’s Boss TTRS Audi Will Challenge Kenya’s Audi TTRS, Leroy GC8, and Famed El Gapo R35 Nissan GT-R
The car in question is an Audi TTRS, aka Boss TTRS, driven by South African street racer Mr Bongani and tuned by QT_Performance. It’s believed to be a 9.6-second car on the quarter mile, which is quite impressive even on a global scale.
The Boss TTRS, as it’s known in the South African Performance Circle, is quite notorious for wreaking havoc on the strip and annihilating every opponent it races. According to Mr Bogani, his Audi TTRS has a stage 3 tune with performance mods, including a WM Kit and an IMS 850 Turbo kit.
Kenya has its own big players waiting to face the famed South African Boss TTRS. There’s also an Audi TTRS that has brutalized all its contenders, a notorious R35 Nissan GT-R, a.k.a. El_Gapo, and last but not least, a highly tuned red Subaru Impreze GC8 by Leroy.
Kenyans are betting on these three contenders, but Mr. Bogani and the Boss TTRS are sure they will clean the streets and bring victory back to Mzansi.
So far, Mr. Bogani has been pictured on his social media in Zambia. Kenyan motorsports fans hope he’s not playing bluff like he’s done a couple of times before and that this time, he will show up.
I am in Nyahururu for a two-day trip. I hope to find the best accommodation, restaurants, and places to visit as I enjoy the Dailmar Motorsports Sunset Corsa event at the Nyahururu Airstrip.