Awin for Patel in the Rwanda Mount Gorilla Rally due July 10-12 will hand Kenya racer Karanh Patel his third Africa Rally Champiionship crown.
This follows his victory at the just concluded Shell V-Power Pearl of Africa Uganda rally in Mbarara.
Two-time African champion sealed third Pearl crown as Samman Vohra came second and Yasin Nasser took final podium spot.
With victories on card, Kenya’s Patel co-driven by Tauseef Khan in the Skoda Fabia r5 stormed to victory at the two-day event.
Patel, in a Škoda Fabia R5, took command on Saturday’s Leg 2 after overnight leader and fellow countryman Samman Vohra broke a front driveshaft on SS10 Kaguta 3. In a cruel twist of fate, it was the same stage where Vohra retired last year.
The mechanical issue cost Vohra his commanding lead of over 8 minutes. Patel inherited the lead and went into the final 6.19km Shell V-Power Stage with a cushion of 1 minute 43 seconds.
Vohra, co-driven by Drew sturrock, managed to take only six seconds back from Patel on the Power Stage and had to settle for second overall. Uganda’s Yasin Nasser/Ali Katumba completed the podium in third, leading the home challenge.
“Thanks to the team, Tauseef, and our sponsors. Pearl is always special — the fans, the stages, everything,” Patel said at the finish in Mbarara. “After Vohra’s problem we just had to bring it home. Three wins here now. We’re very happy.”
Meanwhile, one of Uganda’s top co-driver, Enock Olinga guides Tanzania’s Randeep Singh in Ford proto to winning the NRC category with the best times of two hours seven minutes 02seconds, followed by Yasin Nasser in second place, as Duncan Mubiru ‘Kikankane sealed the podium slots.
2026 PEARL OF AFRICA UGANDA RALLY — PROVISIONAL TOP 3
- Karan Patel/Tauseef Khan [KEN] — Škoda Fabia R5 (02:06.06)
- Samman Vohra/Drew sturrock [KEN] —Škoda Fabia R5 (02:04.44)
- Yasin Nasser/Ali Katumba [UGA] — Ford Fiesta R5 (02:08.59)
