By Husna Muhdhar,
Nikhil Sachania, will be the first paraplegic rally driver to compete in the WRC Safari rally, which will take place from June 24 to June 27.
The Kenyan rally driver is proving to the world that disability is not inability by defying all odds to live his dream. He is abled differently.
Nikhil, a Kenyan rally driver proving to the world that disability is not inability is a second-generation rally driver that’s defying the odds to pursue his dream.
Nikhil has always enjoyed the rush of speed and rallying, and he is looking forward to the experience slated to start in a few weeks’ time. He will be part of the Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) Team in the Upcoming WRC Safari Rally.
His application has already been authorized by International Automobile Federation (FIA), and all he needs now is a certificate of adaptation.
The certificate given by FIA, is for vehicles that do not meet the technical rules due to adaptations required for a physically challenged driver.
Nikhil, is the first physically-handicapped driver to win Motorsports Personality of the Year award in 2015. He is currently participating in the ongoing Equator Rally.
Nikhil claims that after receiving a safety requirement grant from their Disability and Accessibility Commission, he has already completed the changes to comply with the FIA criteria for his Mitsubishi evolution 10 and is just waiting for their clearance.
Due to his physical state, he drives a hand-controlled Mitsubishi Evolution-X.
He has competed in the Africa Rally Championship in six safari rallies and, with the exception of one, he made it to the finish line.
He’s had some success in the Kenyan National Rally Championship and is looking forward to a strong showing in his first WRC safari rally, where he’ll be piloted by his close buddy Deep Patel.
“Last year my target was to come up within the top 20 and we came up at position 21. This year my goal is more or less the same right now. Obviously the WRC level has more superior drivers, but being locals we have the advantage in that we know the terrain. But you know these boys are bred for this so it will not be easy against them. Let’s see if we can achieve the top 20,” Sachania told Capital Sport.
He claims that having the best WRC drivers visit Kenya is a tremendous benefit for local drivers since it allows them to benchmark themselves and learn about new developments in motorsports.
As part of WRC Safari Rally sponsorship, KCB Group will also support to two talented Kenyan drivers Evans Kavisi and Nikhil Sachania, with KSh 9 million.
Meanwhile, Safari Rally CEO, Phineas Kimathi, said that Covid-19 protocols are being developed for this year’s Safari Rally attendees.
The WRC Safari Rally is scheduled for June 23-26, with more than 35 drivers set to compete.
