Renowned rally driver Karan Patel, a familiar face in the Kenyan motorsports scene, is all set to dive into the African Rally Championship from August 18 to 20 in Burundi.
Fresh off his performance at the 2023 WRC Safari Rally, sponsored by KCB, Patel is brimming with determination to secure a victory at the fourth leg of the championship, known as Rallye International du Burundi.
Accompanied by his trusted navigator and long-time friend Tauseef Khan, Patel will take the wheel of his beloved Ford Fiesta, a car he has meticulously prepared for the upcoming regional event. Sharing his thoughts before departing for Burundi, Patel expressed his excitement:
“I am extremely honoured to participate in the African Rally Championship in Burundi. The people of Burundi have always been amazing, turning up in large numbers to cheer us as we take on the tough gravel. It is my hope that the weather and the track will be gracious enough for me and my navigator. We want to win this leg and continue positioning Kenya as a hub for motorsports talent.”
The rally will see the participation of various car categories, including Rally2, Rally3, Rally4, and Rally5, with drivers fiercely battling for precious points. Notably, eligible Group N4 and R4 cars will be allowed in the FIA ARC2 category, while the event will also feature a separate T4 class for eligible T4 Cross-Country cars.
Patel’s departure for Burundi is scheduled for Tuesday, during which he will engage in essential car testing and shakedown sessions before the real action kicks off on the 18th. Offering his perspective, Tauseef Khan shared his enthusiasm for the competition:
“Karan and I enjoy rallying so much and we have been doing this for many years. This platform gives us an opportunity to test ourselves against the best drivers on the continent. I call upon all the motorsports fans to rally behind us in this competition. We will not let them down.”
The event in Burundi marks Patel’s first competitive outing since his participation in the WRC Safari Rally in June.
Looking ahead, the championship’s fifth leg is scheduled to unfold in Rwanda for the Mountain Gorilla Rally, taking place from September 22 to 24.
