African Rally champion Karan Patel and paraplegic driver Nikhil Sachania are confident ahead of the March 20–23 WRC Safari Rally after fine-tuning their machines in a rigorous pre-event test.
The KCB Rally Team duo put their beasts through the paces in Athi River over the weekend, ensuring they are ready for the grueling Safari terrain. Patel, alongside navigator Tauseef Khan, will pilot a Skoda R5 Rally3.
Sachania, the only paraplegic driver on the WRC calendar, and his navigator, Deep Patel, will tackle the Safari in a newly acquired Ford Fiesta Rally3. Patel’s team has completed a comprehensive overhaul of the Skoda to maximise performance.
“We are done with our test. The car has undergone a major overhaul, including the engine, gearbox and other critical components, to ensure peak performance ahead of the rally,” Karan said.
This year’s Safari Rally holds extra significance, counting towards the FIA African Rally Championship (ARC) (season-opener) and the Kenya National Rally Championship (KNRC).
Patel is determined to defend his African title and secure a historic hattrick after last season’s dominance, where he claimed wins in Uganda, Zambia, Burundi and Tanzania, accumulating 140 points ahead of Ugandans Michael Mukula (47 points) and Jas Mangat (28 points).
For Sachania, the focus was to get accustomed to the Ford Fiesta Rally3 and fine-tuning its suspension for the notoriously unforgiving Safari terrain.
“Having previously driven a Mitsubishi Evo X, I feel the difference. This car is lighter, faster and more aggressive, allowing me to navigate corners with precision and speed,” Nikhil said.
They will be joined by Evans Kavisi and his navigator, Absalom Aswani, in the KCB lineup. Five-time champion Carl Tundo, navigated by Tim Jessop in a Ford Fiesta Rally2, will be gunning for a record-extending sixth victory, having triumphed in 2004, 2009, 2011, 2012 and 2018.
Other Kenyan drivers in the mix are Hamza Anwar, Jeremiah Wahome, Aakif Virani and Samman Singh Vohra, all eager to make their mark in one of the toughest rallies on the WRC calendar.
However, the homegrown talent faces fierce competition from the Toyota Gazoo Racing juggernaut, led by championship leader Elfyn Evans and navigator Scott Martin, who lead the standings with 61 points.
Champion Kalle Rovanpera, Japan’s Takamoto Katsuta and Finland’s Sami Pajari are also expected.
