Ben “Baba Shiro” Muchemi is the 2009 motor personality-of-the- year. Muchemi achieved the feat during the Annual Awards Ceremony at Rangers Club in Nairobi.

The never-say-never rally driver won the award after coming out of a coma and driving in all the eight rallies of the 2009 KCB Kenya National Rally Championship. He takes over from three times champion Azar Anwar who won the award in 2008.

Muchemi was elated with the award saying it was the biggest surprise he ever had since surviving a coma in 2008.

The Subaru N10 driver was diagnosed with stomach cancer in 2008 and subsequently flown to the Asian Institute of Gastroenterology in India for an operation. He miraculously made a comeback to the cockpit with verve and vigor.

“I am flabbergasted by this award. It’s the biggest surprise I ever had since coming out of a coma. I dedicate this award to my daughters Shiro and Shiko who are not here today,” said Muchemi.

Muchemi beat two other nominees-Ian Duncan and Yamaha motocross rider Shivam Vinayak for the big award.

In the Special Awards category, MX50 rider David Murigi won the Neil Granger Brown trophy for the moist improved motorcycle personality.

Arthur Kinyanjui “AK 47” was voted the most improved autocross driver. The Kulwant Chana Memorial trophy (media) went to the Standard Group while the Johnny Hellier Memorial for contribution in motor sports (competitors exempted) was bestowed to Jackie Holt. Other awards included the Mike Vaughan-Ryall Memorial Trophy for best organizing club won by Kenya Motor Sport Club.

The William Kimaru Memorial trophy for the most improved navigator was given to Oilibya Racing’s Julius Ngigi who is the navigator of Azar Anwar.

The Tanveer Alam memorial trophy for the best improved rally driver was awarded to Kirit Rajput while the John Ngunjiri Memorial trophy for the most consistent KNRC crew was given to Formula two driver Munir Khan and physically challenged co-driver Sam Jethwa.

THE 2009 CHAMPIONS

KCB KNRC & Group N driver: Carl “Flash” Tundo

KCB KNRC & Group N co-driver: Tim Jessop

KCB 2WD driver: Jasmeet Chana

2WD co-driver: Sudhir Thatti

KCB Classic Car Cup driver: Stefano Rocca

KCB Classic Car Cup co-driver: Franco Donadel

KCB Youngster Challenge: Peter Horsey

KNRC Division 2 driver: Asad Khan

KNRC Division 2 co-driver: Kiran Patel

KNRC Division 3 driver: Said Hamad

KNRC Division 3 co-driver: Ravi Soni

Motocross: Murigu Njiiri (MX50), Apollo Mbuki (MX65), Adil Khan (MX85), Cruze Muigai (MX85) and Shivam Vinayak (MX1).

Enduro: 125cc class: Shivam Vinayak; overall champion: Harry Guelker

Autocross: Steve Anthony

Cross-country: Car Class-Sammy Jessel; Bike-Harry Guelker; Quad-Shazar Anwar; Buggy-Jeremy Andrade.