Jasmeet Chana has embraced a bold new challenge, preparing a cutting-edge rally car for the 2025 WRC Safari Rally.
Nine months is a short time for a rally driver to perfect their craft, especially when fine-tuning a new ride for a major rally event.
But Kenya’s reigning National Champion, Jasmeet Chana is confident he has what it takes to overcome challenges and be ready for the 2025 WRC Safari Rally Kenya.
Kalle Rovanpera has confirmed his readiness for a third WRC title following a part-time 2024 season and preparing for Monte Carlo.
Chana alongside his CRS Racing team, has embraced the challenge of preparing a state-of-the-art Ford Fiesta R5 for the grueling event, set to take place from March 20–23, 2025, in Nairobi and Naivasha.
“We’ve been trying to master the new car better this year, but unfortunately, we didn’t get to drive it around because there were fewer rallies in Kenya in 2024,” said Jasmeet.
The switch from his trusty Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 10 to the high-performance Fiesta R5 signals a bold step for the champion driver.
The Ford Fiesta, which arrived in Kenya earlier this year, is being meticulously prepared in the family’s Parklands Nairobi workshop under the guidance of Jasmeet’s elder brother and Chief Technical Engineer, Jaswinder Chana.
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The team’s goal is to ensure the car is in peak condition for the world-famous Safari, which will double as a round of the FIA African Rally Championship (ARC).
Jasmeet’s efforts to fine-tune the car have already seen him participate in two outings in 2024—one in Nanyuki and another in Arusha, Tanzania.
These events, while not yielding podium finishes, were invaluable learning experiences.
“In Arusha, I made a mistake which resulted in my retirement, but it’s a steep learning curve. Safari holds a special place in everyone’s heart; not only me but also the spectators. It’s like a heritage to us, a festive occasion for us,” he explained.
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The 29-year-old driver has become the focus of WRC’s top teams, weighing offers from Hyundai, Toyota and M-Sport as he contemplates the next step toward his championship ambitions.
Jaswinder Chana, the technical mastermind behind the team’s preparations, is optimistic about their progress.
“We are always interacting with M-Sport online and have received some new upgrades from them to try and calibrate this car to work with this specific engine and chassis number.
Upgrading from Evo to Fiesta has a big difference; we have not had much seat time, but the car is good, very competitive. The suspension system on the car is totally different and has more travel,” he said.
The Fiesta’s arrival was delayed, forcing Jasmeet to miss the 2024 WRC Safari Rally, but the team sees the upcoming 2025 event as an opportunity to make a statement in the WRC2 category.
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FIA Rally Stars’ 2025 selection sees no new Kenyan entrants, leaving young talents awaiting their chance.
The R5 car’s eligibility for points in the series has added to Jasmeet’s motivation to excel.
The champion driver acknowledges that adapting to the Fiesta is a work in progress but remains upbeat about his chances.
“After the two events in my new contraption, I am glad that my pace isn’t that bad. I’m overcoming the teething problems day by day, while also trying to fathom the dynamics of the car,” Jasmeet said.
“It will be interesting to compare our pace with that of the World Rally 2 drivers. It will be something exciting to see during the Safari.”
