After a terrifying crash that shattered their 2024 WRC Safari Rally campaign, paraplegic driver Nikhil Sachania and navigator Deep Patel are back in the driver’s seat, hungry for redemption during this year’s edition on March 20-23.
The duo is laser-focused on securing a podium finish in the WRC-3 category.
Sachania and Patel’s 2024 Safari Rally dreams ended when their Mitsubishi Evo X rolled near the Kedong stage. With renewed energy and fresh wheels, Sachania believes they have what it takes to fight for top honours.
“Our target is a podium finish in WRC3. We are still getting used to the car but are confident in our ability to perform,” Sachania said.
This season, the duo will pilot a Ford Fiesta Rally 3, a machine acquired by long-time sponsors KCB Bank after last year’s setback. Sachania was full of praise for their unwavering support.
“KCB has backed us for five years and their support has been invaluable. Without them, competing at this level wouldn’t be possible. It’s a privilege to have them on board,” he added.
Their first competitive run in the Fiesta Rally 3 came at the Rwanda Mountain Gorilla Rally, the penultimate leg of the African Rally Championship (ARC).
They clocked 1:55:36.3, securing third place behind African champion Karan Patel ( 1:37:47.7 ) and Uganda’s Michael Mukula ( 1:50:21.1 ).
Despite the podium finish, Sachania admitted their 2024 season was far from ideal.
“We only managed one ARC round in Rwanda, finishing third. Unfortunately, we didn’t do a full season, so it wasn’t a strong year for us,” he reflected.
This year’s Safari Rally will also double up as a Kenya National Rally Championship (KNRC) round and the opening leg of the FIA ARC. Sachania is eager to make his mark in both events.
“With the car we have, I believe we can perform well in the ARC. We’ll take it step by step, but the goal is to deliver solid results throughout the season,” he asserted.
The team is already fine-tuning their machine, with final test drives set for Athi River, a rugged terrain ideal for last-minute shakedowns.
“The car is in good shape. We need to do some fuel system tweaks and run a few tests, but other than that, we’re rally-ready,” Sachania confirmed.
“Normally, when we do our test drives, we take it up to Athi River, a place with rough terrain.”
Off the cockpit, Sachania has been focusing on physical conditioning, emphasising the importance of gym work and proper nutrition to stay sharp.
“I do gym work and focus on hydration and a balanced diet. It’s all about staying in peak condition,” he explained.
His chemistry with co-driver Patel
is another major asset. The two share
a long-standing friendship, which
translates into seamless teamwork
on the stages.