Karan Patel kicked off his title defense in the FIA Africa Rally Championship with a dominant performance at the Pearl of Africa Uganda Rally, finishing first in Jinja on Sunday.
With Tauseef Khan as his navigator in the Skoda Fabia R5, Patel showcased his driving excellence by winning 8 of the 9 stages, also contributing to the third round of the Ugandan National Rally Championship.
Despite the cancellation of the first stage on Saturday, Patel’s skill was on full display from the third stage, earning him his first victory in Uganda, including the prestigious V-Power Stage. Jas Mangat, a local favorite, posed a strong challenge but Patel’s mastery over the course’s sugar cane sections saw him emerge victorious, claiming every stage up to the final one at Sura Mbaya.
The event was also notable for Hamza Anwar’s third-place finish in his debut R5 drive in a Ford Fiesta, previously driven by Carl Tundo in this year’s WRC Safari. This marked a significant achievement for the Kenyan drivers at the event organized by the Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of Uganda.
Patel, elated with the victory, dedicated his win to his mother on Mother’s Day and acknowledged the stiff competition from Mangat, who had been training with Grégoire Munster. Mangat conceded that despite a strong start, he lost time in the afternoon stages due to dust and brake issues, which widened the gap with Patel.
The rally also saw seasoned Ugandan drivers Ronald Ssebuguzi and Ponsiano Lwakataka, known as “Mafu Mafu,” finish in fourth and fifth places, respectively. Lwakataka, a previous winner of the Pearl Rally, showed moments of brilliance, finishing third in the NRC standings behind Mangat and Ssebuguzi.
Provisional Results – ARC Pearl of Africa Uganda Rally:
- Karan Patel/Tauseef Khan (Skoda Fabia-KEN) – 01:45:11.6
- Jas Mangat/Laurent Magat (Hyundai i20-UG) – 01:46:54.4
- Hamza Anwar/Adnan Din (Ford Fiesta-KEN) – 01:51:39.0
- Ronald Ssebuguzi/Anthony Mugambwa (Ford Fiesta Proto-UG) – 02:00:41.0
- Ponsiano Lwakataka/Samuel Mugisha (Subaru Impreza N12 B-Ug) – 02:03:23.3
- Jon Consta Karumuna/Aaron Nsamba (Ford Fiesta-UG) – 02:05:08.4
- Hassan Alwi/Musa Nsubuga (Subaru Impreza-UG) – 02:05:26.3
- Michael Jr Mukula/Edward Kiyinji (Subaru Impreza GRB-UG) – 02:06:34.5
- Abas Sebunya/Shameer Yusuf Pyarali (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X) – 02:10:26.2
- Jonas Matayo Kasiime/Bukenya Ronald (Mitsubishi Evo 8-UG) – 02:10:33.1
- Busulwa Fred Kitaka/Joseph Bongole (Subaru Impreza N10) – 02:13:39.3
- Kuku Ranjit Singh/Sirajih Tweranire Kyambadde (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX-UG) – 02:13:44.8
