SportPesa Racing duo Leonardo Varese and Kigondu Kareithi launched their 2026 Kenya National Rally Championship (KNRC) campaign with an impressive second-place finish in the Specially Prepared Vehicles (SPV) class and seventh overall at the season opener in Stoni Athi.
Driving their Toyota GR Yaris Rally3, Varese and Kareithi completed the rally in 02:09:28.7, securing valuable championship points and a podium finish in a competitive field – a significant achievement for the team.
Developing Motorsport Through the SportPesa Effect
Through its continued investment in motorsport, SportPesa is helping strengthen the foundations of the sport, creating opportunities for emerging talent to compete and progress.
This year, SportPesa committed KSh40 million to motorsport, relaunching the SportPesa Racing programme and supporting initiatives designed to nurture the next generation of Kenyan rally drivers. Varese and Kareithi are also leading the SportPesa Racing Rising Stars initiative, which aims to mentor young competitors and help create a pathway for future success in the sport.
The impact of that investment was evident throughout the KNRC opener, which featured a strong showing from young drivers. Speaking after the event, Kareithi welcomed the return of the national championship and expressed optimism about the sport’s future:
“Worldwide, rallying belongs to young people. Those of us who have been around for years are simply here to guide them and ensure we leave behind structures that will help rallying continue growing from strength to strength in Kenya.”
As with all sports SportPesa invests in, the company’s support for rallying focuses on long-term development. The objective is to create more opportunities for participation, strengthen sporting structures and help talented athletes reach higher levels of competition.
The podium finish at Stoni Athi is a reminder of what sustained support can achieve. By backing competitors, investing in young talent and helping raise the profile of the sport, SportPesa is contributing to a stronger future for Kenyan motorsport.
