On Saturday, January 15Division One champion Aakif Virani was crowned the 2021 Motorsport Personality of the year beating his closest challenger Carl "Flash" Tundo.
The Skoda Fabia-R5 driver achieved the feat during a colourful ceremony held at the WRC Safari Rally secretariat in Kasarani.
The Nairobi-based businessman was voted for the coveted award by Kenya Motor Sport Federation (KMSF) competitors licence holders and Commissions.
The occasion also saw the chief guest and Sports CS Amb Amina Mohamed officially present the FIA Founding Member's Club Heritage Cup to winner Robert Dewar.
Kenya Motor Sports Federation (KMSF) chairman, Phineas Kimathi, launched the National Competition Rules for 2022, announcing major technical changes.
Kimathi announced the scrapping of KNRC Premier Class which has been replaced by the existing Division One Class.
After the ceremony Carl Tundo was keen to air out his views on the Award Ceremony via social media with him terming the ceremony as mediocre.
“In one quick vote we have made the prestigious Motorsportsman of the Year trophy worthless and an embarrassment to the generations of great names on that trophy. From legends who brought WRC back to Kenya to past champions and Safari rally winners it is a disgrace to them all.
"We have voted for someone in an ultimate machine who came 4th in the championship who went out and lobbied for votes pre-ceremony. Never in my many many years in motorsport has anyone lobbied for votes for this award.
“Maybe you voted because he won an appeal against a stewards decision? Again, some might say I am bitter as it affected me, again this is not the reason for my rant! Let’s put this into perspective, there are rules in motorsport and appeals and protests happen all the time - should someone then be awarded a prestigious trophy like this because he won an appeal?
“Possibly I have got to that age where I do not understand the new generations mindset but to me you award excellence and this was a big let down to the importance of the award…. And we were not lacking excellence last year!
“From competitors and organisers that excelled in the spectacle that was the WRC Safari Rally and on the FIA stage, to men and women that have dedicated their lifetime to Motorsport in one form or another. To Individuals that have shown and inspired us with such strength and courage through their own personal life battles! Mediocrity has won, which does not sit well with me!
“This is my honest opinion and for some reason I feel I need to share it,” Tundo’s statement read.