Zubair Essa of Essa Racing has been crowned champion of the 2025 Hyundai Eicher Rally following a dominant display across the event’s opening stages. Navigated by Farai Mwanamakondo in a Subaru Impreza, Essa set a commanding pace that proved decisive in securing overall victory despite stiff competition from the Gomes Racing Team.
Essa quickly established his lead by winning Stage One, the 7.39-kilometre Clinic section, clocking a time of four minutes and 34 seconds. He then extended his advantage in Stage Two, the 20.67-kilometre Penyasone stage, finishing in 16 minutes 14.41 seconds. This was despite incurring a 42-second penalty during the early phases of the rally.
Maintaining consistency and focus in the subsequent stages, Essa managed to hold off a strong challenge from Leroy Gomes, who finished second overall. Kyle secured third place, while Ali Moamer Rashid and Seth rounded out the top five. Essa’s performance also earned him the Group A title, affirming his superiority in the top tier of competition.
In Group B, the title went to Ali Moamer Rashid. No winners were declared in Groups C and D for this year’s rally. The event’s power stages added an extra layer of excitement, testing the drivers’ speed and skill under pressure, though no significant changes to the overall standings occurred.
Essa’s victory underscores his growing reputation in Zambia’s motorsport scene and highlights the strength of Essa Racing’s team and vehicle preparation. The combination of driver skill, navigator precision, and vehicle reliability proved crucial in navigating the challenging rally stages successfully.
The 2025 Hyundai Eicher Rally showcased competitive racing, with close battles for podium positions and class titles. Essa’s ability to overcome a time penalty and maintain pace under pressure was instrumental in securing the championship.
This win adds to Essa’s growing list of accolades and sets a high standard for competitors in future events. As rallying continues to gain popularity, Essa Racing’s success story reflects the increasing professionalism and talent within Zambia’s motorsport community.