Former Motorsports Guru, Stephen Lohay honored by Prince Nyerere at National Rally Championship climax
Prince Charles Nyerere has dedicated a trophy he earned from the recently held Guru Nanak motor rally event to his late brother Daudi Charles Nyerere.
Makongoro Nyerere Junior also paid tribute to his former mentor, the late Stephen Lohay.
Prince says he owes everything to the two departed persons as far as his career success is concerned.
The grandson of Mwalimu Nyerere managed to finish the Guru Nanak Rally in the eighth position.
It was the first time that Prince Charles participated in a motor rally racing event in Tanzania, He previously took part in a motor racing competition in Rwanda.
Nyerere wished his brother, Daudi and mentor, Lohay were around to witness him race in the National Rally Championship (NRC).
“I longed to see my late brother Daudi and my mentor Lohay at the podium, but since it was not possible, the best I could do is dedicate the trophy to them,” Nyerere stated during the Guru Nanak prize giving ceremony.
The late Captain Stephen Lohay, an ace rally driver who also served as the chairperson for the Arusha Motor Sports Club (AMSC) chairman died in Tabora in October 2022 shortly after landing the Air Excel plane he was flying.
His death caused the Arusha Rally scene to go into a two-year hiatus.
“Like Lohay, I am also a plane pilot and rally driver,” explained Prince Nyerere, adding the late Stephene played a major role in cultivating him to become what he is today.
Prince Charles Nyerere, who is a professional pilot, says the fact that he managed to finish the NRC Rally was a dream come true for him, especially being the first time.
“The first opportunity to rally came after I graduated from flight school. As I waited for my first job opportunity, I ended up having my first experience in rally,” Nyerere maintains.
“First time in a rally car cockpit was when I went to watch my brother who was a co-driver. Before the event, his driver gave me a spin.”
“But [the] first time on the wheels was during the memorial rally of Lohay, the late chairman of the Arusha motor club. It was a surprise because I didn’t even own a car. I just borrowed it from a friend.”
“I went through the rally without any training at all. Just arrive and drive. The first stage was nice, I beat a few guys but the car caught fire which we managed to put off and continued to finish the race,” he said.