Three Lions (Motif for English National Identity) Safari Rally (The Hare Race)

Started initially as the Coronation rally in 1953, the Safari Rally was initiated whilst Queen Elizabeth was on her honeymoon in Kenya. It was later known as the East African Rally, Malboro Rally,KCB Rally, and today's WRC Safari Rally. It has now evolved to be the biggest motoring event in the African continent, eclipsing the Dakar rally. After three decades, it was moved out of the continent in 2008 due to terror threats in Mauritania. Another is the South African Grand Prix, which was part of Formula One Circuit until 1993 when it was discontinued due to financial problems. Sadly there are just over 500 registered rally drivers in the East African region. A sport that is loved by many has very few participants. 

Initially, the 3200 kilometers safari took five days from May 27th to June 1st, 1953, from Nairobi to Morogoro in Tanzania and back to Nairobi. The second leg took the drivers to Kampala (Uganda) and back to Nairobi through dusty roads and paths that no routes existed. Rules were simple, get a document signed by the majors in Dar and Kampala in the shortest time possible, and you would be declared the winner. Clearly, the event organizers were not worried about fax machines, GPS or accompanying teams. 

The WRC Safari rally this year did not disappoint despite coming after a 19-year-old hiatus. It was held in a 48,000-acre—Soysambu Conservancy against a backdrop of giraffes, lions, elephants and leopards. The eventual winner was Sebastien Ogier, a pre-event favourite. Covering an overall distance of 1,113 km and a travel distance of 813 km, he and his team emerged winners riding on the Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT. Local heroes Onkar Rai and Drew Sturrock were winners in the WRC Category 3. Kudos. 

A Rhino (The tortoise race)

In the hare and tortoise tale, an enduring theme is that "The race is not for the swift but for those who endure it". A rhino charge is an annual event held in remote and wild areas in Kenya. It is an Off-road 4x4 competition in Kenya that seeks to conserve and protect Kenyan Mountain Range Eco-systems (Water Towers). Today, the Rhino Ark Charitable Trust has raised over USD 16 million for erecting a fence that is 650 km long, and this has reduced the human-wildlife conflict. Funds have also been channelled into protecting the endangered Rhino. 

Termed as an endurance race, the entrants must visit several guard posts, while travelling the shortest possible route across a merciless, trackless and often rocky terrain. As if not enough, speed is penalized. Restricted to 65 entrants, the 4x4 drivers have to cover a distance of approximately 100 km in 10 hours (Max) by ensuring that every guard post is visited. The winner is the entrant who visits all the GPS posts provided in the shortest distance possible. Only 65 entrants are allowed. It is my all-time favourite motorsport—a real test of man and machine versus nature.

The Rhino charge route remains a secret until the day of the event to prevent competitors from looking up the route on GPS ahead of time. It is the ultimate test of bravery and level of skill in off-road driving and navigation. A little like the driving through the sand dunes in Dubai laced with the wild thrill of the unknown. 

Manoj Shah (A roaring Lion par excellence)

A philanthropically endowed racer who has used over USD 10 million of his money in enriching and transforming the lives of others, Dr Manoj Shah is both an enigma and adorably approachable. A man of different hats, Dr Shah is, among other things. He is the Group Managing Director of the Kingsway Group of Chairman of Kingsway group of companies (Which includes Kingsway Tyres Ltd). Shah is also Governing council member of the Automobile Association of Kenya, Former president of the Kenya Motor Sports Club and An Ambassador of Goodwill awarded by the Lions  Club International.

From the tender age of 16, Manoj has always been crazy for cars and took a keen interest in major sports, locally and internationally. Manoj had been about speed – blistering, binding and badass speed. His mantra – 'Damn the torpedos, full speed ahead.'

He started with a borrowed Peugeot 504, to self-owned Datsun 120J, Datsun 710, Nissan PA 10, and eventually retiring with a Nissan 240RS in 1985 after his father's-Ramnilalji- death. In his early days, he took various defensive and motorsports driving lessons to develop his competitive and navigation skills. He later joined the Kenya Motor Sport Council. During his Safari Rally travails, young Manoj had to face several accidents, two rollovers and a head-on collision with an Antelope, almost drowning whilst crossing a seasonal river and facing a breakdown in a jungle among elephants. 

After retiring from Rally Driving, Dr Manoj continued his support for the sport by ensuring Kingsway Tyres Ltd sponsored the motorsport by sponsoring teams, supplying Michelin and BF Goodrich tyres, and offering tyre preventive and maintenance services.

In his recently published Autobiography (One in Million) he shares with me the following Motorsports gems in an interview:

"In racing, it is believed that you go where eyes go. The driver who cannot tear his eyes away from the wall as he spins out of control will hit the wall. The driver who looks down on the track as he feels the tyres break free will regain control of the vehicle". 

"I have come to believe that if we hope to build a better world, we must be guided by the universal human values that emphasize the kinship of human race – the sanctity of human life and freedom, peace between nations, honesty and truthfulness, regard for rights of others and love for one fellows". 

In Ernest Hemmingways words "Auto-racing, bulling fighting and mountain climbing are the only real sports…..all others are games". 

Dr Manoj believes that the future of Motor sports in Africa will be improve with better roads, safer drivers , better highway signage, and training. Today he remarks worse than the wild animals , boda boda (Motor cycle ) operators pose a bigger threat to motorists. (TT)

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Continental is set to make a significant impact at the upcoming Tire Technology Expo in Hannover with a strong presence at the technical conference scheduled for 3 March 2026. The company will kick off the event with a major presentation centred on the evolution of tyre technologies designed to meet the demands of autonomous driving. Dr Andreas Topp, who leads Platform Development and Industrialisation for passenger car tyres at Continental, will illustrate how the vision of autonomous vehicles is transitioning into everyday reality and how the tyre manufacturer is proactively developing innovative solutions to support this shift.

In addition to the opening session, Continental experts will deliver three further presentations, each addressing critical areas of tyre science and environmental regulation. One of these will explore the use of recovered carbon black derived from end-of-life tyres as a filler material. Professor Jorge Lacayo-Pineda, a specialist in materials evaluation, will delve into the complexities of identifying this material within vulcanised rubber compounds. Recovered carbon black, primarily obtained through pyrolysis, represents a milestone as the first industrially scalable filler sourced from discarded tyres. It is not considered a direct substitute for conventional carbon black but rather a distinct category of filler due to its unique composition, which includes carbon residues and a specific thermal background. Professor Lacayo-Pineda will examine the technological and regulatory possibilities that arise from detecting this material in new tyre compounds, focusing on reliable identification techniques such as electron microscopy and molecular spectroscopy.

Another key presentation will broaden the conversation around tyre emissions. Dr Frank Schmerwitz, a senior test engineer specialising in tyre wear, will address the limitations of current discussions that predominantly focus on tyre and road wear particles. He will highlight additional pathways of mass loss that are not captured by conventional measurements. His talk will consider the release of nanoparticles, the persistence of wear residue on road surfaces and the chemical degradation of this material due to environmental factors like oxygen and ultraviolet light, aiming for a more complete scientific picture.

The final presentation will tackle the complexities of modern tyre development in the context of new regulatory frameworks. Dr Pavel Ignatyev, an expert in rubber friction and wear physics, will discuss how the introduction of standardised abrasion limits and measurement methods under the Euro 7 regulation is reshaping innovation in the industry. He will explain the various parameters influencing tyre wear and how they interact with these new requirements. Through simplified models, he intends to demonstrate the intricate nature of tyre wear and outline the collective challenges that remain for the industry, emphasising that a deep understanding of these dynamics is crucial for translating regulatory mandates into effective technological advancements.

Dr Topp said, “The future of self-driving vehicles has begun. We are developing tyre technologies and products that meet the unique technical requirements of these vehicles. This includes topics such as interaction with smart vehicle dynamic controls, optimised fleet operations and tailored solutions for specific use profiles.”

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The concluding day of 2026 F1 Pre-Season Testing at the Bahrain International Circuit saw Charles Leclerc set the overall fastest lap of the entire six-day programme. The Ferrari driver delivered a time of 1:31.992s on the C4 compound Pirelli tyres during the final hour of running, improving by eight-tenths of a second on the previous benchmark established by Kimi Antonelli. This performance placed him ahead of Lando Norris in the McLaren, who recorded a 1:32.871s on the C3 tyre. Max Verstappen and George Russell followed, with times of 1:33.109s and 1:33.197s, respectively, both also set on the C3 compound. Notably, none surpassed Leclerc's own leading time on that particular compound, a 1:32.655s. Pierre Gasly rounded out the top times, utilising the softest C5 tyres to post a 1:33.421s.

The C5 compound saw limited use on the final day, employed only by Alpine and Williams for short-run simulations. Aston Martin, despite having the tyre available, opted not to run it and instead completed just six laps on C3s before their session was curtailed. In contrast, teams focused on different aspects of performance. Gabriel Bortoleto and Arvin Lindblad set the pace on the harder C1 and C2 compounds, respectively. The day was also notable for the absence of several drivers, including Fernando Alonso, Lewis Hamilton and Alex Albon, who did not participate in any track action.

Beyond outright speed, teams dedicated significant effort to long-distance evaluation. Gabriel Bortoleto completed 25 laps on the C2 compound for Audi, while Esteban Ocon undertook 24 laps on C1s for Haas. Ocon was also the sole driver to run intermediate tyres, completing four laps to assess front wing behaviour. Over the entire six-day test, a total of 41,366 kilometres were covered across all 11 teams, a distance exceeding the Earth's circumference. The C3 compound proved the most popular, accounting for 61 percent of all laps. In total, 591 sets of slick tyres were utilised throughout the pre-season, with 326 of those deployed in the final three days alone.

Mario Isola, Pirelli’s Motorsport Director, said, “The radical changes introduced to the cars have inevitably shifted the teams’ focus towards power units and aerodynamics rather than tyres over the last few days. The final stages of testing are usually dedicated to optimising the car-tyre package, but it is clear some teams haven’t reached that point yet. Generally speaking, track feedback has been consistent with our simulation expectations. Drivers were able to gain confidence with the entire Pirelli range through both performance trials and long runs, even using the C4 and C5 compounds which aren’t particularly suited to a circuit like Sakhir.

“Mechanical resistance appeared strong across all options, with no signs of graining or blistering. Degradation levels are almost certainly higher now than what we expect for the Bahrain race, when temperatures will be lower and cars more developed. A central theme this season will certainly be balancing temperatures between the axles, especially ahead of the first race in Melbourne. The lower loads of a street circuit might require more intensive tyre preparation or differentiated tyre blanket temperatures, particularly in qualifying. In any case, it will be interesting to discover in Australia how much teams have been ‘sandbagging’ their engine power to avoid showing their hand. We only have to wait a couple of weeks to see the true pecking order.”

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Titan International, a global leader in off‑the‑road (OTR) tyre and wheel manufacturing and distribution, has entered into a significant 10-year exclusive distribution agreement with Triangle Tire USA. This strategic alliance grants Titan exclusive rights to distribute both Triangle and Diamondback branded OTR tyres across United States. By combining Triangle’s global manufacturing expertise with Titan’s extensive North American dealer network and the established recognition of the Diamondback brand, the partnership aims to deliver a comprehensive and unified portfolio of high-performance OTR solutions.

The collaboration enhances Titan’s product offering to include a diverse range of radial and bias tyres suited for the most demanding off-road environments. Customers across critical sectors such as mining, construction, earthmoving, aggregates, industrial operations and equipment rental will benefit from this expanded selection. The integrated portfolio supports a wide array of heavy machinery, including large earthmoving equipment, loaders, dozers, scrapers, haulage vehicles, mobile cranes and container handling machinery for ports, as well as industrial and rental fleets.

This initiative is designed to strengthen the market presence of the combined Titan, Triangle and Diamondback brands within the OTR sector. By leveraging Titan’s national sales and support infrastructure, the partnership aims to drive long-term performance through enhanced dealer adoption and improved customer satisfaction. The arrangement ensures that end users have access to a broader spectrum of mission-critical tyre solutions backed by reliable distribution and service support.

The initial rollout of Triangle and Diamondback OTR products is currently underway through Titan’s dealer network in United States. An expanded range of sizes and patterns is scheduled for release throughout the year, with dealers encouraged to consult their Titan representatives for detailed information on availability, specifications and ordering procedures.

Paul Reitz, CEO & President, Titan International, said, “This partnership combines Titan’s deep channel reach with Triangle’s expanding OTR portfolio to deliver a broader, more competitive offering to our customers – backed by Titan’s service, training and technical support. We’re excited to bring the Triangle and Diamondback families into our US distribution platform to improve availability, coverage, and value across critical OTR customers.”

Campbell Metcalfe, CEO, Triangle Tire USA, said, “Triangle is pleased to join forces with Titan to bring our OTR innovations to more US customers, faster. Titan’s scale, distribution strength and customer support capabilities will substantially enhance access to Triangle and Diamondback products across key industries.”

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Radar Tires, a globally recognised manufacturer known for its off-road and high-performance products, is broadening its footprint in the light truck and off-road vehicle segment with a major expansion of its popular Radar Renegade-X line. Responding directly to robust market demand and the model's sustained success among enthusiasts, the company will introduce nine new sizes featuring rim diameters from 18 to 26 inches. A key highlight of this expansion is the debut of 26-inch options, catering to the growing trend of customised and lifted trucks requiring larger wheel fitments.

Since its market introduction, the Renegade-X has built a strong reputation for delivering uncompromising off-road capability without sacrificing on-road civility. Consumer feedback consistently praises its superior traction in mud and rocky terrain, its robust durability and notably low road noise – a combination rarely achieved in the mud-terrain category. This balance of aggressive performance and refined driveability has solidified its appeal.

The tyre’s distinctive design is the result of a collaboration with the renowned Italian design house GFG Style, blending engineering rigor with premium aesthetics. Its technical features include a high void-to-lug ratio designed for effective self-cleaning in mud, alongside a specialised rock-crawl compound for enhanced grip on varied surfaces. Durability is addressed through a three-ply sidewall construction, while a strategic combination of stone ejectors and serrations protects the tyre casing. Furthermore, sidewall lugs inspired by stealth design not only contribute to a striking visual profile but also improve lateral traction in challenging conditions.

The newly added sizes are intended for a wide range of vehicles, including Jeeps, pickup trucks and full-size SUVs. Availability is scheduled to commence through authorised dealers in February 2026, with additional sizes arriving through April of that year.

Rob Montasser, Vice President, Radar Tires, said, “The response to the Radar Renegade-X has exceeded our expectations, and our dealer partners have consistently requested additional sizes to meet customer demand. This nine-size expansion, including our first 26-inch rim diameter sizes, demonstrates our commitment to providing dealers with a comprehensive product offering that supports sustained, profitable growth while giving consumers more choices for their vehicles.”

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