Kenya’s Karan Patel and co-driver Taussef Khan saw their hopes of securing a third Africa Rally Championship (ARC) title take a significant hit during the Mountain Gorilla Rally in Rwanda over the weekend. The reigning champions entered the third round with only 35 points, earned at the Pearl Rally in Uganda last May. A strong performance in Rwanda could have bolstered their title defense, but their campaign was derailed by a critical incident.
During Stage 3 of the rally, Patel’s Skoda Fabia suffered a half roll, causing severe damage to the car’s gearbox. A subsequent technical inspection confirmed that the crew would be unable to restart on the final day, effectively ending their chances of scoring any points in Rwanda. This setback has left their ARC title aspirations hanging by a thread.
Uganda’s Yasin Nasser, the current championship leader, also endured a tough outing. His Ford Fiesta experienced a loss of power, forcing an early retirement on the opening day. However, under the super rally rule, Nasser’s crew was able to restart for the final leg, keeping their championship hopes alive.
Meanwhile, Kenya’s Samman Vohra emerged as the standout performer of the event, dominating Day 1 to establish a commanding lead heading into the final day. With six stages scheduled for Sunday, Vohra is well-positioned to claim victory in the Mountain Gorilla Rally.
The rally’s outcome will have significant implications for the ARC standings, as Patel’s misfortune has opened the door for other contenders to close the gap. Fans and competitors alike will be eagerly awaiting the final results to see who emerges victorious in this thrilling motorsport showdown.
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