Karan Patel, the skilled driver of the KCB racing team, and his navigator Tauseef Khan are setting their sights on the upcoming Rwanda Mountain Gorilla Rally scheduled for September 22nd-24th.
Their determination and prowess were on full display as they clinched victory in the 4th leg of the African Rally Championship (ARC), known as Rallye International du Burundi, over the weekend.
In an impressive feat, Patel and Khan emerged as the triumphant winners against a formidable field of competitors from across the continent. Their victory solidified their position as contenders in the African Rally Championship (ARC) leaderboard, where they currently hold the third spot with 60 points following their recent triumph in Burundi.
Expressing his elation, Karan Patel shared, “I am very happy to clinch this victory against some of the best drivers on the continent. My navigator Tauseef was alert all through ensuring I was on top of my game up until the last stretch. We want to build on this win going forward even as we prepare for Rwanda’s Mountain Gorilla Rally set for next month.”
Driving his Ford Fiesta rally2, Patel showcased his unwavering determination, maintaining a steadfast pace even as he secured a commanding lead into the final leg on Sunday.
Demonstrating exceptional consistency and skill, he claimed victory by a significant margin of five minutes and 57 seconds, having dominated five out of the six stages of the day.
Patel’s triumph stands as a testament to his resilience and determination, particularly following his retirement during the 2023 WRC Safari Rally in Naivasha due to car issues that hindered his pursuit of a podium finish.
Reflecting on the recent victory, Patel emphasized, “Being the first competitive race since the WRC Safari Rally, I think we have showcased that our comeback is greater than the setback we encountered. We want to keep preparing the car, ensuring that all the parts are fixed because we are going all out for the championship.”
Notably, the Moil rallying team currently leads the ARC standings with 78 points, followed by Jas Mangat and Joseph Kamya in second place with 63 points.
As the rally enthusiasts anticipate the Rwanda Mountain Gorilla Rally in the coming month, the championship’s journey will continue to Zambia in October, promising further exhilarating battles and displays of skill on the racetrack.
