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2009 Season:

The FIA African Rally Championship 2009

Kobil Rally of Tanzania - 20 - 22 Feb.

Its the opening round of the official FIA ARC calendar of this year as you might have heard, a lot of drivers including myself are will to go for it at all costs, its Africa's biggest rally challenge of course, a lot of skills and patience combined are the gateway to archiving the grand finale in this event.

Fri 20-02-2009: We are set, the car mechanics are busy fine tuning it, making sure everything is as according to plan. Am hoping on maintaining a calm invasion on the first day as it will determine my quest for the rest of the rally. Am not surprised a lot of locals are already embracing the whole event, it must be a special feeling.

Sat 21-02-2009: Everything looks good so far, the car handles so well so far, no such worries as mechanical failures or punctures as of yet, hope it stays that way but with a lot of pressure from other ARC rivals, lets see how far we can go and keep them off our pace because we don't want to neither loss the top spot nor force any unforeseen mistakes, were taking it nice and easy, were not pushing the car obiviously but a think weve got 5 or 6 fastest times, stage times. Which is very good, its only may be the 4th stage section we were very slow, very conservative, we've decided to change the strategy, wana do some relly good times, steady pace, drive 80% maximum, u know, keep the car in good condition, no damage, win some points, our forcus now is collecting more points, becoz u know last year we had 2 non finishes, 1 very bad finish, so we didn't collect any points but this year we've decided to collect points, we get more points, be abit more conservative, not drive so fast and get some good finishes.

Sun 22-02-2009: After a lot of efforts in poll position were finally put to test on the final stage of the rally, a rear tyre puncture, to add to that dismay, the car jerk gets messed up as were trying to raise the car up and fix the tyre. I finally get to a conclusion that we drive the rest of the remain Kms on a flat tyre. We end up finishing in second position just 35 seconds separating us from James Whyte the new poll leader. I am disappointed with the result after many attempts in the new car but we will now work harder to try and do better in the Safari Rally and establish a good footing in the ARC standings, 8 points for us on the first ARC event is not that bad for the start.

KCB Safari Rally 03 - 05 Apr 2009 - Kenya.

The second round of the ARC calendar, the legendary Safari Rally has always been a real classic on the ARC rally calendar for sure and this year's challenge will provide us with an epic and memorable event. For years the Safari has been known as the world's toughest rally and l never doubt that at all, whether during the days of the WRC or even now. The Safari is more than just a rally, it is a real experience, it provides an epic challenge to us to push cars to the maximum through the demanding gravel stages. With so far James Whyte being the leader aboard the FIA ARC standings with 10 points, 2 points better than me in second position, a think he's going to have to bear with my fight back for the top spot.

Fri 03-04-2009: Its too hot, the roads are more than dusty, the locals seem to be excited about the legendary event as usual. If you want to see how challenging this event is, then l suggest you ask guys who have tackled it before, now and again...it never stops testing us, our patience, skills and even mind set. The super special stage at Uhuru park is stormed by thousands of spectators, who get to see real rally artistry, when you combine fast cars with a dusty road you know what the out come is....just imagine a tornado clearing everything leaving the entire park for the dead. We manage to clock 3rd overall best with 1:09 mins, Kenya’s Baldev Chager and Alastair Cavenagh being the overnight leaders with 1:08 mins.

Sat 04-04-2009: We start preparations early enough on the first day of the real challenge, no one looks to be giving up yet but we all know that whoever gets to finish the Safari in one piece is truly a winner. Were to be flagged off in 9th only God knows why, its real intense pressure for the first car to invade the great rift valley lakes terrain, since it will be the one to clear most of the gravel first. But as the day folds, the real toughness of the Safari once again prevails, leaving no car untouched, a lot of punctures, broken shocks, clutch problems, engine over heating, in fact Leg 1A (around Lake Elementaita) only, claimed 7 cars including Riyaz Kurji's Subaru N8, so finally at the end of day 1 proper with 290.6kms spread over 6 competitive sections, we finally had to fringe into the top ten finishers.

Sun 05-04-2009: Everyone seems to be counting on there skills on this day, the final day of the Safari, which has so far left many drivers, crew members nodding there heads is on. Am hoping to maintain the pace, we don't want to be dropping points especially at this stage. We got the car radiator changed over night so the over heating issue is wiped out now. We've got 7 stages to take on, all around Athi River areas. Moses and l agreed to consolidate our focus on gaining ARC points other than anything else. After a long day's struggle, Moses was like, l quote him "every time I tackle the Safari Rally I am again reminded of how tough and savage the event is. Even the best preparations can quickly go wrong, this rally is all about survival. We are still learning the car and I’m confident that when we head home to Uganda we will be back on the pace."

KCB Pearl of Africa Uganda Rally 1 - 3 May 2009 - Uganda.

Fri 01-03-2009: Its too rainy early in the morning, l got one more road test to do just before we head for the super special stage in Jomayi Kawuku Eastate in Entebbe, just to make sure that everything is in fine tune. Am hoping to keep it easy, since the main event is tomorrow. Can't believe the road is too slippery, our service van gets blocked 1Km away from the service park but were ready to give our fans the best they've always deserved. The roads are too slippery still, the car set up is just perfect though it keeps stalling due to my left foot breaking timing, my bad.....Otherwise, the whole circuit is a success, clocking fifth in a circuit doesn't mean we drove so badly, its just entertaining the crowds, so watch out for the real event tomorrow and judge us after the rally.

Sat 02-03-2009: Its a lovely morning here in Mityana, weather is just fine, no signs of rain spoiling the day especially that were going to tussle it out on very bad roads. Am heading out in second position behind Riyaz Kurji, am hoping to keep my strategy intact on James Whyte and Muna Singh since were all competiting for the ARC points.

Were told that theirs a heep of soil in one of the competitive sections but can't confirm on its real location in the sections, so we hit the first and second hamps and think its finally done but after a few Kms, we almost fall victims to the real heep of soil on the 3rd hamp but thanks to God we cruize past it but after one hell of a drive. We complain at the end of the section and authorities are like there very sorry.....Otherwise the car is better than before, everything is too perfect with the car set up.

Our pace is just too good so far, our chase is paying off well but within 3 or 4Kms on CS 6 Kikonge 1 - Sekanyonyi 1 (15.67Kms), one of our rims gets messed up, so we get out to see the impact, we find out that the whole rim just broke, the tyre never got any pancture, its all fine but the rim is all pieces. We loose alot of minutes, like 5 mins in the process of putting a new tyre. The Verlaques aka Rally Chicks have dropped out of the race after having broken there front left suspension towrads the flying finish and alot on there VW Polo is damaged, their advised to retire since they can't even make it in the transport section. Too bad ........

We try to go flat out just to make sure that we compensate for the lost minutes, James Whyte looks to be maintaining his pace too, Muna Singh is gaining pace. We get shocking news at the end of the rally that Riyaz crashed his Subaru N8 on CS11 into pieces and that an helicopter has been called in to transport him to hospital. Word reaching us is like Riyaz is dead after the fatal accident, we're all depressed and shocked at the bad news. May his soul rest in peace.

Zambia International Rally 3 - 5 July 2009 - Zambia.

Fri 03-07-2009: Were all set and ready for this event, looks like another dusty rally with the super special stage of 2.9km at Lusaka Motor Club show ground to be drove twice, getting all of us hyped and pumped up for the main event, the local fans are going to love it since it always gets better by the season and we got alot of skilled drivers on the ramp today. Were being flagged off in 3rd place behind ARC leader James Whyte and the local's favourate Muna Sigh both in there Subaru N10 type cars......We end the day's drive in fifth overall position, we want to keep it easy just to make sure we maintain our pace like we have been doing in the previous events, we managed a time of 00:04:22 which isn't that bad so far. Essar the overall leader of the SSS of the day is one young driver to watch out for in the future.

Sat 04-07-2009: Were experiencing unending clutch problems, especially when it comes to engaging the 3rd gear and some gears just get stuck forever....due to the same gear box problems we have been experiencing since the start of the rally today, we were so unlucky that we ended up sliding off the road then into the trees but lucky enough none of us (me and my co-driver Moses) is injured. With the time stamp were remaining with l doubt if its going to be easy to fix the gear box that fast and get back into the rally. So were finally out of the race, am so disappointed with the way things have turned out since l was expecting a good run here like it has always been before but thats part of the game. I know were off the title chase but that won't stop the the EMKA RALLY TEAM from competiting in the last event of the calendar which is in Zimbabwe plus future events, so see you all in Harare. God bless.

"It is always frustrating to end a rally early, but that is just the nature of this game! Despite our problems Emmanuel and I were lying sixth overall before we crashed out, so it shows that we are on the pace, we just need a little help from Lady Luck! Our championship is over but we’ll be back again next year for sure!" (...Moses Matovu)

Toyota Zimbabwe Challenge Rally 29 - 31 September 2009 - Zimbabwe.

Fri 29-08-2009: The last and 5th event of the FIA ARC events, were all set for the challenge but funny thing is we never did the recce so l think you all know what the cost is for not doing a rally recce especially if your driving on roads your not familiar with. But were going to try as much as we can to complete the rally with the car in one piece, so that means were not going to be doing a lot of chasing of the top guys especially that the ARC points gap between us is very wide...

Sat 30-08-2009: The fact that were going to have to borrow pace notes from other competitors is already an ill feeling were all going to bear with, we absolutely had no time to do the recce but who knows, were going to keep it easy. Suspension set up problems are already tricking us big but were going to bear with that back foot and aim at securing a finish. Plus of course we needed to be part of the big grand finale, Whyte should be the one to have the most pressure amongst all of us...

Sun 31-08-2009: This rally certainly lives up to its name every year nor matter what. And 2009 was no exception. We struggled with setup issues and weren’t helped by having to borrow pace notes which were in a different format to our own. The gesture by the other competitors for offering us their personal notes was fantastic and I thank everyone for all of their assistance. We ended the rally tantalisingly close to securing our third podium finish of the season but at least we scored another finish which helped us take third in the title race. And for those who missed the real action, you will be suprised that Moses had to lend me a hand at the wheels and actually did some good times for two stages in the Subaru N14...what a suprise especially that we were on unfamiliar roads.

Till next year guys, thanks to all for your support and prayers, this will be my last FIA event of this year so we meet again come 2010. Moses is not yet done, so l hope you all flood to Rwanda for the KCB Rwanda Mountain Gorilla Rally on 18 September 2009, hes gonna be calling notes for rising Kenyan driver Peter Horsey in a Mitsubishi Evo 9. Peace and God bless you all... (Emka)

Summary of 2009 season results:

2009 FIA African Rally Championship
Rd	Event Name	Date	Country	Comments
1	Rally of Tanzania	19 - 21 Feb	Tanzania (EAT)	8 Points
2	KCB Safari Rally Kenya	3 - 5 April	Kenya (EAK)	4 Points
3	Pearl of Africa Uganda Rally	1 - 3 May	Uganda (EAU)	3 Points
4	Zambia International Rally	3 - 5 July	Zambia	Dropped Out
5	Zimbabwe Challenge Rally	28 - 30 August	Zimbabwe	5 Points

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