20th November marked a significant day in the Rhino Charge calendar. Over 200 Rhino Charge competitors, supporters and committee members converged at the Simba Saloon, Carnivore restaurant in Nairobi to celebrate the launch of ‘Spirit of the Charge - 2008’ , a film about the 2008 Rhino Charge competition.

The festive occasion ticked all the right boxes for a great evening: a first-rate setting, fine food, live musical entertainment and the chance to meet friends not seen since the Charge event on 31st May. A selection of competitor vehicles were parked among the guests’ tables and provided an interesting context to the proceedings.

Brawny beasts of the Rhino Charge

The next generation was represented by students from Brookhouse School, a supporter of the Charge. The students presented a witty poem about the Charge and conservation.

After dinner, Master of Ceremonies and editor of AUTONEWS Gavin Bennet introduced the film, noting that the production quality of the DVD’s had been upgraded. The crystal clear, dramatic action footage, crisp narrative and powerful sound make this 26 minute film a must-have home collection item for any Rhino Charge fan – now on sale for only Kshs.2,000.

Top performers in this year’s Charge, car nos. 5 (Alan Mckittrick), 38 (Sean Avery), 39 (Ben Woodhams) and 22 (Mike & Sarah Higgins) were all recognized and awarded with prizes.

Sean Avery’s team receives prize

Alan Mckittrick (Car no. 5) takes up challenge to raise Kshs. 10M next year

Mike Higgins, a perennial winner of the revolving Diamond Trust trophy for 2nd highest sponsorship value raised, formally retired from the Charge after 20 years of competition. The trophy, now full with 20 years’ worth of winners’ names engraved thereon was awarded to Mike to keep permanently. A fresh trophy, donated by Mike, will now be used from 2009.

The film launch was also the occasion for celebrating the Rhino Charge’s 20th Anniversary, marked by the cutting of a very large Charge cake. The wise and sprightly Jas Singh, 1st Rhino Charge (1989) winner Travers Allison and 2008 winner Alan Mckittrick, all accompanied by their spouses, performed the cake cutting.

Chargers perform cake cutting

Closing the formal proceedings of the event, Rhino Ark management committee chairman Colin Church reminded the gathering that although fence construction is slated for completion in October 2009, the much greater long-term challenge of fence maintenance remained. The funds raised by the Charge will henceforth be applied to ensuring that the fence is properly maintained, and continues to serve its purpose.