EAST AFRICAN CLASSIC SAFARI RALLY - DAY 06

EAST AFRICAN CLASSIC SAFARI RALLY - DAY 05

If it Were Easy, Everyone Would Do it…

and if it were any harder nobody would. Except, perhaps, for this one guy I know.

Yesterday was a long, hot, dusty day; I believe I may have previously mentioned just how dusty it is, at least a time or three, if not, trust me when I say it’s really, really dusty. But I digress…

So, back to yesterday, where our #33 Glen Edmunds Advanced Driving / Vehicle Dynamics Institute, SSS Rallysport prepared Datsun Violet GT covered a total of 420 kilometers across 3 competition section and 3 road sections, including a 138 km competition section and a 163 km road section. The day was a test of both our machine, our driver and co-driver, and most especially our crew of mechanics.

And while they are all quite capable and competent, one man stands out - as much for his back story as for his attention to detail, extensive knowledge, and “no quit” attitude. That man is Steve Nzeki, known by everyone simply as “Zeki”.

Some 23 years ago he started at Glen Edmunds’ shop. For the first year he did nothing other than sweep and clean the shop. For the next 2 years he cleaned engine parts and organized them for the engine builder/installer at that same shop. Then one fateful day, with the engine builder/installer absent from work, and a customer desperate to have their newly rebuilt engine re-installed in their vehicle, Glen turned to Zeki and tasked him to get the job done.

And, as they say, is history. And for the last 19 years Zeki has been honing his craft as a mechanic, able to diagnose all types of problems, perform electrical, driveline, suspension repairs and rebuilds.

Now, between this week and last, he has proven invaluable during numerous service periods, when within time constraints ranging from 15 minutes to 30 minutes (and end of day service periods limited to just 2 hours) he has taken on a wide range of tasks, and not once has he failed to complete any of them.

His patience, dedication, and passion for his work are the stuff legends are made of. And here in Africa, the East African Safari Classic Rally is where legendary rally mechanics are made

Given his performance and perseverance so far this rally, there is no doubt he is well on his way to earning a place among them, and for that I am proud to call Zeki both a colleague and friend.

Author: Joe Autera, Car #33 Team Manager