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Rwanda: 2023 – When Rwanda’s Motorsport Saw the Light

todayJanuary 2, 2024 2

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In a year filled with adrenaline, passion, and stiff competition, Rwandan motorsport has shown potential to thrive going forward.

From the roaring engines to the frenzied crowd,2023 left a statement that the sport has more to offer in the next few years.

From winning hosting rights for the 2024 FIA General Assembly to hosting the popular Mountain Gorilla Rally, Times Sport takes you through what transpired in the world of motorsport in 2023.

Kigali confirmed as host city for 2024 FIA General Assembly

It was a celebration all over the Rwandan motorsport community when the Federation Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) on December 8, announced that Kigali will host the 2024 FIA annual general assembly.

READ ALSO: Kigali confirmed as host city for 2024 FIA annual assembly

The decision was made public during the 2023 FIA Annual General Assemblies in Baku, Azerbaijan.

Kalimpinya rises to the occasion

It’s been a good year for fast-rising rally driver Queen Kalimpinya as she continues to chase glory in her dream sport which has over the years been dominated by men.

It was in 2023 when the former Miss Rwanda finalist attracted the attention of the Motosport world including Formula One super star Sir Lewis Hamilton who via his social media platforms acknowledged her racing journey.

READ ALSO: PHOTOS: Kalimpinya ‘overwhelmed’ after Hamilton praise

A number of international media agencies reported about Kalimpinya’s budding racing journey.

On June 14, ‘Females in Motorsport’, a volunteer-run platform, sharing stories and celebrating talent of women in motorsport from those racing to those working behind the scenes, posted a short story of Kalimpinya’s fast rise from a beauty queen to becoming Rwanda’s first ever female rally driver in Rwanda.

When joint-record seven-time Formula 1 winner Hamilton, who visited Rwanda in August 2022, read Kalimpinya’s story via the Females in Motorsport Instagram page, he reposted it in support and admiration of the former beauty queen’s passion and dedication to motorsport.

She was also among a host of celebrities who named gorillas during the annual gorilla naming ceremony held in Kinigi in September.

Patel retains Mountain Gorilla Rally

2023 was another turning point for the annual Rwanda Mountain Gorilla Rally, the biggest motorsport event on the country”s calendar when Kenyan driver Karan Patel and his navigator Tauseef Khan retained the race in September racing in their Ford Fiesta RS car.