Marufu lands sponsorship

huge lift on the eve of this weekend’s Toyota Zimbabwe Challenge Rally when she received a sponsorship packa-ge worth US$10 000 from two local companies.
Kwikstop and Xtreme Oils each handed Marufu (33) US$5 000 as an incentive for her to do well in this weekend’s Toyota Zimbabwe Challenge Rally.
Abdul Mohammed, the Xtreme Oils’ director, said yesterday that they were happy to be associated with Marufu whom she described as a talented driver.
“We are happy to work with Laureen Marufu as she is a talented driver who has managed to give a strong challenge in the sport (of motor rallying).
“By giving her this sponsorship, it’s one of our ways of encouraging her, as a black woman who is taking part in an expensive sport, to do her best,” said Mohammed.
Kuneil Dsai, the sales manager of Kwikstop, said they were happy to come in as one of Marufu’s sponsors.
“We are proud to be associated with Zimbabwe’s first black female motor rallying driver Laureen Marufu and the team Amara, which she races under. I also take this opportunity to congratulate her for winning the national N2 and N3 classes during last month’s Norton Rally,” Dsai said.
After receiving the sponsorship, Marufu could not hide her excitement and thanked all who have supported her in her short but promising career.
“It is with great pleasure to receive this recognition and I would like to thank Chase Attwell, Ian Howden, and the general public for their support. The recognition means a lot to me as it will take me and my team far. I have started well (this year) and if more sponsorship comes in, I hope to compete in the African Rally Championship series,” Marufu said.
Marufu made history when she became the first local black woman motor racing driver.