Rwandan rally driver Queen Kalimpinya has hailed her co-driver, Olivier Ngabo, as the best in Rwanda, highlighting the strong partnership they have built since teaming up in 2023.
“He is the best co-driver and navigator in Rwanda. Even before we met, he was the best mechanical engineer. I am proud of what we have achieved together,” said Kalimpinya, noting that Ngabo previously won Best Co-driver in 2019.
After three years of competing together, the duo clinched their first national rally championship, earning them a spot in the 2026 Africa Rally Championship (ARC). Their debut will be at the 2026 ARC Safari Rally in Naivasha, Kenya, from March 12–15, making Kalimpinya the only non-Kenyan woman in this year’s competition.
Kalimpinya, a former Miss Rwanda finalist, praised their growing synergy. “The more we raced together, the better we became as a crew. I hope more is yet to come,” she said. She added that competing at the continental level comes with new challenges, including financial, technical, and mechanical readiness.
The crew will be supported by RwandAir and KCB and will travel to Kenya on March 7, five days before the rally begins.