Karan Patel leads African Rally Championship charge in Uganda
Reading Time: 2min | Thu. 07.05.26. | 14:31
The 2022 Kenya National Rally Champion returns to action aboard a Skoda Fabia Rally2 alongside navigator Tauseef Khan
Two-time African Rally Championship (ARC) winner Karan Patel heads into this week’s Pearl of Africa Uganda Rally in Mbarara with more than just championship points on the line.
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The Kenyan ace celebrates his birthday during the iconic event and will be aiming to mark the occasion by strengthening his early lead in the 2026 ARC title race.
Traditionally held in early May, the Pearl Rally often falls around Patel’s birthday, adding extra motivation for the defending ARC leader as he tackles the demanding Ugandan stages in the country’s famed “milk capital.”
Patel arrives in Uganda carrying momentum from an impressive performance at the season-opening WRC Safari Rally Kenya in Naivasha, where he secured 17th overall to end a frustrating streak of retirements and move to the top of the ARC standings ahead of round two.
The 2022 Kenya National Rally Champion returns to action aboard a Skoda Fabia Rally2 alongside navigator Tauseef Khan, targeting another major points haul as he continues his pursuit of a third African crown.
Kenya has fielded a strong contingent of 10 drivers for the rally, with the Pearl remaining one of the most cherished events for Kenyan crews thanks to its high-speed stages and passionate fans.
Friday’s opening leg features five stages covering 60km competitive, beginning with SS1 Charles Muhangi 1 at 9:40 am, before Saturday’s demanding 127.92km route concludes with the Shell V-Power Power Stage.
With 23 ARC crews entered and one of the biggest foreign turnouts in the rally’s history, all eyes will be on Patel as he looks to celebrate his birthday in style with another dominant ARC performance.
