Wahome makes history as first female WRC3 winner at Safari Rally
Maxine Wahome has made history by becoming the first woman to win a round in the World Rally Championship’s WRC3 class at Safari Rally Kenya.
The 26-year-old Kenyan managed to win the WRC’s third tier class by 25 minutes and 27s, and finished the event 16th overall, one place behind M-Sport Rally1 driver Gus Greensmith.
The event marked exactly a year since the motocross convert took up rallying at the Safari Rally.
Wahome’s victory was made even more impressive given the event was her first outing in the M-Sport-built Ford Fiesta Rally3 car, having previously piloted a Subaru Impreza N12 in the African Rally Championship.
Wahome ended Friday sitting in second position behind countryman and Junior WRC regular McRae Kimathi, but her hopes of a podium were thrown into doubt by am ECU issue.
It meant the Wahome had to rejoin the rally under Super Rally rules but was able to drive cleanly through a brutal event, that saw all WRC3 competitors forced to retire at least once, to rise to the lead on Saturday.
An error free run through Sunday’s five stages sealed the victory from compatriot and former BRDC British Formula 3 driver Jeremy Wahome [no relation], while Kimathi sealed a all-Kenyan podium.
“I’m proud and I’m happy I made the history,” said Maxine Wahome when asked about the breakthrough moment.
“It was a big surprise for me. My goal was to learn the car and by learning the car each day I guess I improved on my speed a made it to first position. Thursday was my first time sitting in the car.
“We had an ECU issue that kept faulting in the stage we had to change it and just before we got into service it failed on us again and we had to retired and rejoin.
“We are happy we still kept the first place. The whole mission today was to make it to the finish and learn about the car because the gap was already big.”
Wahome is set to remain behind the wheel of the Ford Fiesta Rally3 for rounds of the African Rally Championship.
Related video
WRC Safari Rally: Rovanpera wins as Toyota scores 1-2-3-4
Rovanpera: Safari Rally win the "hardest" of my WRC career
Evans co-driver Scott Martin lands WRC Commission role
Evans co-driver Scott Martin lands WRC Commission role Evans co-driver Scott Martin lands WRC Commission role
WRC drivers pushing for more compact event schedules
WRC drivers pushing for more compact event schedules WRC drivers pushing for more compact event schedules
How the WRC saw a different side to Rovanpera in his latest Acropolis triumph
How the WRC saw a different side to Rovanpera in his latest Acropolis triumph How the WRC saw a different side to Rovanpera in his latest Acropolis triumph
Nemechek passes Kligerman, wins Texas Xfinity race
Nemechek passes Kligerman, wins Texas Xfinity race Nemechek passes Kligerman, wins Texas Xfinity race
Bubba Wallace takes pole position for Texas Cup race
Bubba Wallace takes pole position for Texas Cup race Bubba Wallace takes pole position for Texas Cup race
McDowell leads NASCAR Cup practice at Texas; Bell spins
McDowell leads NASCAR Cup practice at Texas; Bell spins McDowell leads NASCAR Cup practice at Texas; Bell spins
Marquez will take Honda's interests into account while finalising MotoGP future
Marquez will take Honda's interests into account while finalising MotoGP future Marquez will take Honda's interests into account while finalising MotoGP future
How the WRC saw a different side to Rovanpera in his latest Acropolis triumph
How the WRC saw a different side to Rovanpera in his latest Acropolis triumph How the WRC saw a different side to Rovanpera in his latest Acropolis triumph
How iconic cars from each WRC era compare at the hands of Petter Solberg
How iconic cars from each WRC era compare at the hands of Petter Solberg How iconic cars from each WRC era compare at the hands of Petter Solberg
How the WRC title race was ignited by Evans in Finland
How the WRC title race was ignited by Evans in Finland How the WRC title race was ignited by Evans in Finland
How Rovanpera reached a Loeb-like level in Estonia WRC domination
How Rovanpera reached a Loeb-like level in Estonia WRC domination How Rovanpera reached a Loeb-like level in Estonia WRC domination
How Ogier held his nerve to repeat Toyota's Safari WRC rout
How Ogier held his nerve to repeat Toyota's Safari WRC rout How Ogier held his nerve to repeat Toyota's Safari WRC rout
The Neuville splash and grab that ends Hyundai’s WRC win drought
The Neuville splash and grab that ends Hyundai’s WRC win drought The Neuville splash and grab that ends Hyundai’s WRC win drought
How Rovanpera fired the WRC a timely reminder of his class in Portugal
How Rovanpera fired the WRC a timely reminder of his class in Portugal How Rovanpera fired the WRC a timely reminder of his class in Portugal
How Evans ended his WRC drought in sombre Croatia breakthrough
How Evans ended his WRC drought in sombre Croatia breakthrough How Evans ended his WRC drought in sombre Croatia breakthrough
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.