With his father Leroy Gomes already a household name in motorsport, multi-talented Seth is ready to rival him and etch his name in history books. Teenager driver Seth is eyeing winning his maiden National Rally Championship this season. Leroy is the reigning African Rally Championship holder and national champion. The Ndola-based driver, who is navigated by wife Urshlla has raised the bar but his son is ready to march it. “My target for this season is to try to win the National Championship and to be the youngest Zambian to win the tournament,” Seth said in an interview recently.

The 15-year old is among the drivers that are eyeing to dethrone his father. His uncle Kylie Latife and former champion Mohamed Essa are the other drivers in the race for the title. Despite big names and family members all ahead of him in terms of experience, Seth is determined to triumph.

“It is not going to be easy because I have got great drivers and mentors like my dad [Leroy] who is a four-time Zambian champion and African champion. The likes of my uncle Kleevan Gomes, who has been rallying since 2013 and has great experience, my uncle Kyle Latife has also been rallying since 2014. I have uncle Muna Singh Junior, who is a three-time Zambian champion. All these great names I have to contend with,” he said.

He started his rallying career in 2022 by competing in the Zambia Motor Sport Association junior championship. Seth has been driving since he was eight years old. Seth credits his rise to his strong support system. “My ambition is to win or finish in the top three in as many national events and show consistency in my driving ability. I have a very strong support system through my dad and grandfathers, who stop at nothing to ensure that my car is in good shape and I’m able to compete and give it my all,” he said. Seth is navigated by his uncle Riyaz Latife. And it appears it is not just stepping on the pedal that Seth is good at but also swimming. The Simba International School Grade 12 pupil is a seasoned swimmer. He said having parents that push him in both sports is a boost.

“I am blessed with parents who support me in every sport and allow me to compete and push me to compete and be the best I can be. Both my parents have done swimming and rallying,” Seth said. He said each sport adds its own advantages towards his life and development. “I have been swimming competitively since I was five years old and in recent years represented my country at multiple continental competitions within the region. Swimming is an individual sport where you have to be self-motivated and disciplined to show up for practice or training every day.

Even on days when you don’t want to you have to push yourself in order to get better and faster. It’s great for body fitness, too,” Seth said. Seth also said he has learnt attributes to apply in life and school from racing. “Rally teaches you time discipline, reaction response, mental focus, critical thinking and comradery. All great attributes to apply to daily life and school,” he said. Asked to pick which sport he enjoys the most between motorsport and swimming, Seth insisted he likes both. “It’s very difficult to pick between the two sports.

They are both great sports giving me growth in different aspects of my life. I enjoy the results of both sports, swimming and representing my country, rally and winning stages. It’s always my prayer that the two events never clash on dates so that I can compete in both events. It is difficult to choose one over the other,” he said.