The Rwanda Mountain Gorilla Rally was held in Kigali, from 18-20 September, with a total route of 800 kilometres. The drivers enjoyed some of Africa’s finest rally roads on an event which was a reserve on the calendar for this year’s FIA African Rally Championship. The fast and flowing tracks through the Rwandan forests were as testing as ever and the perfect place for this continent’s most promising young (under-27) drivers to scrap for what is likely to be the biggest prize of their lives.
Nominated as a wildcard entry for the Pirelli Star Driver category on the event, Horsey set the pace from the start – and only missed out on victory when a last-stage puncture dropped him to second place.
He said: “This is the biggest thing in my life. I came here wanting to win and I have achieved it with great support from my mum, dad and the service crew. I want to use this as a springboard into the World Rally Championship. I haven’t really had much time to let the victory sink in, but I’m sure it is going to hit me hard. I’m going to relish this as the best moment of my life. Like I said, I haven’t had much time to think about next year, but just being in the WRC is a great achievement.
“This is the fulfilment of a two-year dream for me to make it into the Pirelli Star Driver programme. It’s a chance for me to represent my country on the world stage, which is fantastic. For me, the next year is going to be about developing my driving and associated skills in rallying. It’s an incredible opportunity.”
Horsey has rallied across Africa, but actually began his career as a co-driver in 2001, before getting behind the wheel a season later. One of his biggest achievements to date has been finishing as the highest placed two-wheel drive competitor in the Kenyan National Championship – a series which includes the fearsome Safari Rally.

Pirelli’s Motorsport Director Paul Hembery was pleased with the level of competition in Africa. He said: “It’s good to see another country represented on the Pirelli Star Driver programme. Peter is a worthy winner and we look forward to seeing him compete on the World Rally Championship events next year.”

Horsey will be joined by four other drivers in next year’s Pirelli Star Driver programme. The two drivers from the European region were confirmed yesterday (Saturday), while the representative of the Asia Pacific was selected on Rally Australia earlier this month. The fifth and final driver for next year’s Pirelli Star Driver scheme will be decided at the Dubai International Rally on 3-5 December. 

They will all compete on six rounds of the 2010 FIA World Rally Championship in a front-running Group N car. Next year will be the second season of the Pirelli Star Driver programme. The scheme is designed to offer drivers from around the world, competing in the FIA Regional Championships, the opportunity to compete at the highest level of the sport.