RALLY: Zulu dies during Kilimanjaro attempt

South African rallying star Gugu Zulu has died during an attempt to climb Mt Kilimanjaro.

The 38-year-old was on a Nelson Mandela Foundation 'Trek4Mandela' trip to help raise money to buy sanitary supplies for girls when he developed problems breathing.

"Details are sketchy," said a statement from the Foundation. "The medical team supporting the trek put him on a drip and they descended the mountain with him. We are informed that the medical teams tried everything possible to save his life."

Gugu was a three-time national rally champion with Volkswagen, and a hugely respected community leader in South Africa whose fans extended far beyond racing. He had also been reportedly been preparing to make his U.S. motorsport debut in the coming weeks in GRC Lites.

Gugu is survived by his wife Letshego, who had accompanied him on the trek, and a one-year-old daughter.