Biography
Profile:
Name: Alexander Gakuu Kihurani
DOB: January 10, 1987
Resides: Philadelphia, PA, USA
Occupation: IT Auditor at Ernst & Young LLP
Interests/Hobbies: Auto racing, volleyball, computers, salsa, running/lifting, mountain biking
Rally Experience:
Number of rallies: 60+
Years of experience: 7.5 years
Accomplishments:
2008 X Games 14 Bronze Medalist
2007 Rally America Group N Runner Up
2005 Rally America G2 National Champion
Story:
At the age of 23, Alex Kihurani has been at the forefront of American rallying as one of the top young co-drivers in the country. Throughout 8 seasons, Alex has captured a class national championship, taken an X Games medal, competed on top level teams across North America and Europe, and has taken two drivers to the coveted Rally America Rookie of the Year award (2008 - Dave Mirra and 2010 - Joseph Burke).
With his father bringing over a passion for rallying from Kenya, host of the legendary Safari Rally, Alex became obsessed with rallying from early childhood. Alex learned the fundamentals of co-driving by directing his dad to spectator points starting at the age of 6 and navigating in Time-Speed-Distance (road) rallies by the age of 12. To catch a glimpse of as much of the action as possible, Alex began hitching rides with rally teams to events at the age 13 while launching his rally video website (at which point he was given his nickname, “RallyBrat”), drove his first rally car at 14, and finally competed in his first stage rally three weeks after his 16th birthday in 2003. By 2004, Alex began co-driving in the SCCA ProRally National Championship with a trip across the country for the Rim of The World Rally in Lancaster, CA, where he finished 11th overall. Later in the year, Alex began rallying in Canada as well.
In 2008, Alex completed a short stint on the RockStar Energy Drink team before switching to Vermont Sports Car/Subaru of America alongside legendary BMX rider Dave Mirra. Dave would compete for the first time in a full-powered Open class car with Alex alongside and capture his first top 10 finish and Rally Car X Games medals with him as well. For the latter park of 2008, Alex lived in the UK and competed in several events including the Bulldog International Rally of Wales with Pro-Tec Motorsport.
In 2010, Alex began co-driving for 19 year old Joseph Burke, son of US Rally champion Seamus Burke. In four events, they took three top 10 finishes, including both Joseph and Alex’s first national podium, and Joseph took Rookie of the Year.
Currently, Alex lives in Philadelphia, PA and works in IT Risk & Assurance at Ernst & Young LLP in addition to his rallying past time. He graduated from Penn State in May of 2009 with degrees in IT and Economics.