Shell Autocross Rally returns to Stoni Athi for high-speed round 5 showdown
The Shell Autocross Rally 2026 heads to Stoni Athi on 29 and 30 August for Round 5 of the championship, bringing together drivers and teams for a test of speed, precision, endurance and technical preparation.
Winners will be crowned on Sunday.
The round marks the second consecutive year Shell has served as title sponsor of the Autocross Rally, building on its 2025 partnership with the championship.
“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 who make this sport what it is,” said Vivo Energy Kenya’s Marketing Manager Joanne Nyaga.
“This 5th edition of Autocross provides another opportunity to bring the Shell performance story to life while supporting the people and passion driving motorsport in Kenya,” she added.
Among the drivers expected to draw attention at Stoni Athi are Shell-sponsored competitors Tinashe Gatimu, Caroline Gatimu, Neel Gohil, Suleiman Munyua and Michuki Hinga.
For Tinashe and Caroline Gatimu, the weekend offers a chance to continue a distinctive motorsport journey as a mother-and-daughter team, having competed together in previous AutoX editions.
“Racing is demanding, but doing it alongside my daughter makes the experience even more meaningful. There is a lot that happens before you get to the starting line — preparation, trust, teamwork and determination — and we are looking forward to putting all of that to the test at Stoni Athi,” said Caroline Gatimu.
Her daughter Tinashe said the event gives her a chance to learn from her mother while building her own experience behind the wheel.
“Motorsport is about pushing yourself, learning and having the confidence to take on the challenge. Racing alongside my mum gives me the opportunity to learn from her while also building my own experience as a driver. We are excited to represent Shell and give the fans something to cheer about,” she said.
For the other Shell-supported drivers, Round 5 presents a further opportunity to compete at a high level and demonstrate the blend of skill, preparation and machine performance motorsport demands.
“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. Having Shell’s support gives us an important platform as we continue to compete and grow in Kenyan motorsport,” said Michuki Hinga, one of the Shell-sponsored drivers.
Motorsport offers Shell a natural platform to demonstrate its long-standing association with high performance. The company has decades of global motorsport experience, including a long-standing technical partnership with Scuderia Ferrari in Formula One and involvement in the World Rally Championship with Hyundai Motorsport.
The extreme conditions associated with motorsport create a demanding environment in which fuels, lubricants, engines and drivers are pushed to their limits.
The lessons and technical expertise gained through the sport have helped shape Shell’s approach to high-performance fuels and lubricants, reinforcing the link between the racetrack and everyday driving.
Beyond the competition, the Autocross Rally draws together a wider community of drivers, mechanics, teams, sponsors and fans. The championship gives Kenyan motorsport talent a platform to gain experience and visibility while contributing to the development of driving, mechanical and technical skills across the wider motorsport ecosystem.
“Motorsport brings together an incredible combination of talent, technical expertise, teamwork and passion. Our role as a title sponsor is to help create a platform where these qualities can thrive, while giving fans an opportunity to experience the excitement of the sport. We are looking forward to seeing what Round 5 delivers at Stoni Athi,” said Nyaga.
With the 2026 championship running through November, Stoni Athi marks another stop in Shell’s continued support for the performance, people and passion driving Kenyan motorsport.
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