Laureen Marufu’s chance to shine again

maiden appearance in this tough event in 2010 and she surprised all and sundry when she drove her Toyota Corolla to a ninth place finish. That was a phenomenal achievement by a then rookie driver, and a female for that matter, who had been in the tough male-dominated sport for less than a year.
Marufu returned to compete in the Toyota Zimbabwe Challenge Rally for the second time last year, competing in the N2 Class, and she was among the 16 starters of local and continental drivers from fellow African countries such as Rwanda, South Africa and Zambia.
In fact, there were only two female entries in last year’s event — Marufu and fellow Zimbabwean Michelle Yorke, who was also in a Toyota Corolla.
Marufu proved that her performance in the 2010 Challenge Rally was no fluke as she once again “stood her ground”, finishing a credible sixth in last year’s event. Marufu, who had Clint Ashdown as her navigator, was just a joy to watch and impressive during the three days of racing in which she came out unscathed, winning the N2 Class in the process.
She was also classified as the first female driver home after Yorke crashed out of the race on Day Two of competition. And Marufu is now looking forward to competing in her third Toyota Zimbabwe Challenge Rally when the country’s premier motorsport event dusts off at the Crests Lodge in the afternoon of March 16 this year.
Speaking during the official launch of this year’s Challenge Rally at Sables Motorsport Club in Harare on Thursday night, Marufu said she couldn’t wait to compete in this year’s event. Marufu said she really wants to give it “a go” in the March 16 to 18 event and was determined to finish among the top five.
The Harare-based woman is also looking at competing in the Zambia International Rally for the second time in May this year.
“I really enjoyed competing in last year’s Zambia International Rally . . . the atmosphere there was completely different from ours and I really enjoyed myself.
“I just can’t wait to go back there again for this year’s event and I’m quite determined to make my presence felt again.
“But what is really exciting me at the moment is that I’m now regarded as one of the top female drivers in Africa and in the world. In fact, I’m currently ranked eighth among the top female drivers in the world,” Marufu said.