Kenyan drivers to headline Rwanda Mountain Gorilla Rally this weekend
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Reading Time: 2min | Wed. 08.07.26. | 17:43
The event has attracted 19 confirmed crews from across Africa, setting the stage for a highly competitive contest
KCB Racing Team will field five crews at the 2026 Rwanda Mountain Gorilla Rally as the FIA African Rally Championship (ARC) heads into another crucial round on Friday, 10 to Sunday, 12 July.
The event has attracted 19 confirmed crews from across Africa, setting the stage for a highly competitive contest that could significantly influence the championship standings.
Leading KCB's charge is championship leader Karan Patel, who will once again be navigated by Tauseef Khan.
The pair heads to Kigali in confident mood, after an outstanding start to the 2026 season.
Patel currently tops the ARC standings with 83 points.
He secured a third consecutive Pearl of Africa Uganda Rally title earlier this year, while also collecting maximum ARC points at the Safari Rally Kenya, strengthening his championship lead.
Joining the KCB contingent are Nikhil Sachania alongside Deep Patel, Tinashe Gatimu, ander her mother Caroline Gatimu, Oscar Ntambi and his long-time navigator Muhamadi Uthumaan, and Rwanda's Queen Kalimpinya, who will compete alongside experienced co-driver and mechanic Olivier Ngabo.
“We have had good momentum this season, and the team has worked hard to prepare the car for Rwanda," Patel said ahead of the rally. "The goal is to stay consistent, manage the stages well, and fight for maximum points. We know the competition will be tough, but we're ready for the challenge.”
©KCB BankKalimpinya heads into her home event encouraged by an impressive performance at the Pearl of Africa Uganda Rally.
Driving her Subaru Impreza WRX STI, she finished second in the ARC2 category, claimed second place in the ARC Junior category and placed 12th overall in the continental standings.
She believes competing on familiar terrain presents another opportunity to deliver a strong result.
“Competing at home is always special. The support from Rwandan fans gives me extra motivation, and we are determined to build on our performance in Uganda," she said. "We have prepared well, and we will be pushing for another strong finish."
Activities begin on Friday, 10 July, at the Kigali Convention Centre, where crews will complete Free Practice, before taking part in the Shakedown and the Qualifying Stage, which will determine road positions.
The day's programme will conclude with the ceremonial start later in the evening, with competitive action taking place on Saturday, 11 July, where drivers will tackle long, high-speed endurance stages on the roads of Bugesera District.
The rally will conclude with the remaining Busegera stages, and a decisive power stage on Sunday, 12 July, which will offer valuable bonus championship points, before the overall winners are crowned at the podium ceremony.