Naveen and Musa debut in Safari Rally Kenya

Naveen Puligilla from Hyderabad and Musa Sherif from Kerala are preparing for a challenging debut at the World Rally Championship (WRC) in Kenya. The Safari Rally Kenya, starting March 20 near Nairobi, is known for its tough terrain, rocky roads, and water crossings. Naveen has a successful background in national rallying but is new to international competitions. He competed in the 2024 INRC National Championship and has raced in one international event before. "I always wanted to drive fast cars," he said. After losing weight and becoming fit, he is ready to take on this new challenge. He has teamed up with Musa, an experienced navigator and the current national champion. Musa has participated in over 300 rallies, including 91 international ones. At 53 years old, he will make his WRC debut alongside Naveen, making them the first all-Indian team in the championship. They will be racing in a Ford Fiesta Rally3 in the WRC-3 category. Driving a left-hand drive car for the first time adds another layer of challenge for Naveen. However, he feels confident after training in a similar vehicle recently. The Kenyan stages are much longer than those in previous competitions, adding to the excitement. With plans for more than 20 rallies this year, Musa is busy adapting to different drivers and cars. He highlights that the terrain in Kenya will be demanding, with obstacles like slippery roads and narrow uphill drives. Both drivers are eager to tackle this adventure as they embrace the challenge of the WRC.