Champion Karan Patel to Headline Pearl of Africa Uganda Rally

The Pearl of Africa Uganda Rally is set to kick off the 2024 FIA Africa Rally Championship (ARC) season from May 10-12, featuring a lineup of over 30 crews, including Africa Champion Karan Patel and Junior Africa Champion Hamza Anwar, as well as the 2022 winner, Ugandan Jas Mangat.

Patel and Anwar, both returning after missing the 2023 edition, are determined to claim their first Pearl title.

Patel, in his Skoda Fabia R5 with navigator Tauseef Khan, and Anwar, driving a Ford Fiesta Rally5 with Adnan Din, will face stiff competition from local favorites like Ponsiano Lwakataka, Hassan Alwi, Musa Nsubuga, Nasser Mutebi, Steven Bunya, and Ronald Ssebuguzi.

The event, which will take place in Jinja, Eastern Uganda, promises to be thrilling, with FMU President Jimmy Akena emphasizing safety and a well-organized rally experience.

The rally action starts on Friday, May 10, with free practice and qualifying stages at Wairaka, followed by two shakedown sessions. The competition will culminate on Sunday, May 12, with decisive runs of the Sura Mbaya and Macarena stages.

The event will conclude with a closing ceremony in Jinja, where fans can join in celebrating the victors.

The ARC 2024 calendar also includes the Equator Rally in Kenya, Zambia International Rally, Rally of Tanzania, Rallye International du Burundi, and the Rwanda Mountain Gorilla Rally, promising an exciting season of rally racing across the continent.