NAIVASHA, Kenya, March 15 – Two-time continental champion KCB Rally Team driver Karan Patel led a Kenyan top-four sweep in the FIA Africa Rally Championship (ARC) class of the WRC Safari Rally Kenya that wrapped up in Naivasha, Nakuru County on Sunday.
Patel finished the first round of the 2026 ARC 17th overall in his Skoda Octavia R5 machine that was also entered in the WRC2 supplementary class.
The aim was to bring the car back home and we have done that,
“It was a slow and steady run for us this weekend, to try and keep the car in a good condition and take care of it.
“Safari is not known for being smooth and trouble free, so we just had to do our best,” Patel said after navigating the last four stages to seal the crown.
He added: “We have collected some very good points on this rally so we start the ARC on a very good note, hopefully we maintain the lead.”
Victory bolstered his bid to reclaim the ARC title he lost to Uganda’s Yasin Nasser last year.
Compatriots Aakif Virani (18th), Samman Vohra (19th), and Jasmeet Chana (20th) finished in that order to round off a Kenyan top four shut out.
“The car felt good on the last day, I mean, we had to push a little bit because the time difference between us and Karan was 7 minutes, but then the penalty that we got yesterday meant that Samman was getting closer to us.
“I’m happy I have finished second in ARC, first in ARC Masters, second in KNRC, and 8th overall in WRC2 which is not bad, I think I might give ARC a go this year,” Virani gushed.
Another KCB Rally Team driver, Uganda’s Oscar Ntambi rounded off the top five in the ARC category behind the wheel of a Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X.
Patel’s winning margin was convincing – he beat Aakif and Samman by 16.12.0 and 19.52.4 minutes respectively.
Reigning champion Yasin Nasser of Uganda got off to a disappointing start, finishing 9th overall.
The victory rekindles Patel’s title hopes, and Kenya’s strong showing bodes well for the rest of the season.
