When the engines roar to life at the 2026 Mountain Gorilla Rally, one crew will be racing for more than podium finishes. For Tinashe Gatimu and her mother, Caroline Gatimu, rallying is a family legacy built on trust, resilience and a shared passion for motorsport. The Kenyan pair will once again compete together at the Rwanda Mountain Gorilla Rally, with Caroline calling the pace notes while Tinashe takes the wheel. Returning to Rwanda for the second consecutive year, they remain one of the few mother-daughter crews in African rallying, bringing a unique story to one of the continent's premier motorsport events. A bond strengthened by rallying For 21-year-old Tinashe, having her mother beside her in the cockpit is more than a competitive advantage—it's a privilege. It is quite special to come to this beautiful country for the second year in a row to compete with my mother by my side. She has almost two decades of rallying experience and I have a lot to draw from, she said. Motorsport has always been part of the Gatimu family's identity. Both of Tinashe's parents spent years competing in rallying, while her father now manages the team. Growing up around service parks and rally cars, stepping into the driver's seat felt almost inevitable. When I turned 18 in 2023, during the WRC Safari Rally, we decided I should drive while my mum navigated because we have a special story to tell, she explained. ALSO READ: BPR Bank powers Rwanda Mountain Gorilla Rally with Rwf150m boost A mother's dream fulfilled For Caroline, sharing a rally car with her daughter is the fulfilment of a dream that began in childhood. It's very special to sit in the car with my daughter. We are mentoring young girls, including our own children, to pursue what they love, and I'm grateful that, as parents, we've been able to support them, she said. Her love for the sport was sparked at an early age. When I was young, my mother used to take us to watch rallies. Later I met my husband, who also loves cars and motorsport, and that's how our whole family became involved. The pair have already celebrated remarkable success together, winning Kenya's National Rally Championship in both 2023 and 2024—achievements Caroline ranks among the proudest moments of her career. More than family While many rally crews spend years developing trust and chemistry, the Gatimus built theirs long before they entered competition. ALSO READ: Home heroes eye national title boost at 2026 Mountain Gorilla Rally We've been together in highly stressful situations and managed to come through them. That has definitely strengthened our bond, Tinashe said. Competing together has also created an environment driven by encouragement rather than pressure. We are passionate about seeing each other succeed, both in and out of the sport. That means I always have people fighting for me to do my best. Caroline believes mutual respect has been the key to their success. We've learned to work together as a family. Of course there are difficult moments, but we've learned to stay united. Respect is what makes it work. Breaking barriers together In a sport traditionally dominated by men, the Gatimus hope their journey inspires more girls across Africa to pursue motorsport. Tinashe says she feels fortunate to be part of a rally community that has become increasingly welcoming to women. I don't take this opportunity for granted. I hope it encourages more girls to believe they can join motorsport and succeed. The number of women competing continues to grow. Caroline had a message for parents. Don't be afraid to support your daughters in whatever they love. Follow your heart and help them pursue their passion. Everything is possible if families believe in them. Like many rally teams, the Gatimus have faced financial challenges throughout their journey. One of our biggest challenges has been securing sponsorship, Caroline admitted. Today we're grateful to have partners like KCB in Kenya and BPR in Rwanda. Their support has made a huge difference, and we're thankful to everyone who has believed in us. Focused on the finish Heading into the Mountain Gorilla Rally, the duo's ambitions remain realistic. Our first goal is simply to finish the rally. Anything beyond that will be a bonus, Tinashe said. Caroline shares the same philosophy. In rallying, the most important thing is to finish. Winning is wonderful, but crossing the finish line is always the first victory. Asked to describe their partnership in a single word, Tinashe smiled before answering: Powerful. Because that's exactly what it is. As women's participation continues to grow across African rallying, the Gatimus' story shows that modern motorsport is about more than speed and competition. It is also about family, opportunity and inspiring the next generation to believe that no road is beyond their reach.
