Shell Autocross Rally Round 5 set to deliver high-speed action at Stoni Athi
The engines will roar and competition is expected to intensify this weekend as the Shell Autocross Rally 2026 heads to Stoni Athi for Round Five of the championship on August 29 and 30.
The Stoni Athi round will bring together drivers and teams for a demanding test of speed, precision, endurance and technical preparation, with winners expected to be crowned on Sunday.
The event marks the second consecutive year that Shell is the title sponsor of the Autocross Rally, building on its partnership with the championship in 2025.
For Shell, the partnership provides an opportunity to bring its motorsport heritage closer to Kenyan consumers while supporting local drivers and the wider motorsport community.
Vivo Energy Kenya Marketing Manager Joanne Nyaga said the partnership goes beyond branding, noting that it supports performance and local motorsport talent.
“Shell’s continued partnership with Autocross is about more than putting our name on a championship. It is about celebrating performance, supporting Kenyan motorsport talent and creating memorable experiences for the fans,” Nyaga said.
Among the drivers expected to attract attention are Shell-sponsored competitors Tinashe Gatimu, Caroline Gatimu, Neel Gohil, Suleiman Munyua and Michuki Hinga.
For Tinashe and Caroline Gatimu, the competition offers another opportunity to continue their unique mother-and-daughter motorsport journey after participating in previous editions of the Autocross Rally.
Caroline said racing alongside her daughter has made the experience more meaningful, adding that preparation, trust, teamwork and determination would be crucial at Stoni Athi.
Her daughter Tinashe said motorsport had helped her build confidence and experience while learning from her mother.
Meanwhile, Hinga said the Stoni Athi course would demand a high level of preparation from both drivers and their cars.
“Stoni Athi will demand a lot from both driver and car. The focus is on preparation, consistency and making the most of every stage of the competition,” Hinga said.
Shell’s involvement in motorsport also reflects its longstanding association with high-performance fuels and lubricants. Globally, the company has decades of motorsport experience, including its technical partnership with Scuderia Ferrari in Formula One and involvement in the World Rally Championship with Hyundai Motorsport.
The Autocross Rally also provides a platform for drivers, mechanics and teams to develop skills and gain visibility.
With the 2026 championship continuing through November, all eyes will be on Stoni Athi as competitors battle for crucial honours in Round Five.
