Patel going for ARC title in final sprint

As the Africa Rally Championship (ARC) comes to a conclusion this weekend in Lusaka, Zambia, the title goes to the wire as home driver Leroy Gomes and Karan Patel battle for top honours. 

Zambian Ford Fiesta Rally2 pair of Leroy and Urshlla Gomes have high title hopes on home soil against Patel, sexond on the log, 21 points adrift. 

The Ndola based husband and wife team boasts of one win so far at Ivory Coast's Bandama Rallye and four second place finishes on Equator Rally Kenya, Pearl of Africa Uganda Rally, Atlantic Rally of Tanzania, and Rwanda Mountain Gorilla Rally.

Ford Fiesta Rally3 youngsters fighting for ARC points in Lusaka

If Karan wins in Zambia, the Gomes will only need nine points to clinch the African championship title currently held by Carl "Flash" Tundo.

The Sarago Zambia International Motor Rally became the season-closing round of the 2022 ARC series after South Africa pulled out due to financial difficulties.

Pearl winner and ARC2 leader Jas Mangat who was to be the only Ugandan entrant in Zambia will be the notable absentee due to the loss of a family member.

Zambians enlisted for the prestigious event include 2012 African Champion Mohammed Essa (Subaru), Munah Singh Jr (Subaru), Mujo Simakoloyi (Subaru), Farook Tickley (Subaru), Kleevan Gomes (Evo9), Kyle Latife (Evo9), Kelvin Mhlanga (Toyota EtiosR4) and Seth Gomes (Evo9).

Meanwhile, Kenyan crews are looking forward to the weekend's showdown with great expectations

KQ-Safaricom sponsored quartet of McRae Kimathi, Hamza Anwar, Jeremiah Wahome and Maxine Wahome are also in Lusaka chasing the junior championship. 

Jasmeet Chana relishing KNRC lead with eyes on title

Speaking from Lusaka, Maxine's co-driver Murage Waigwa said that the duo has had a good year and a worthwhile opportunity to tackle ARC events and being the season finale, they are all psyched up to have a fantastic finish.

"The whole team is optimistic for a good run on Saturday and Sunday. It's hot and humid during this time of the year in Lusaka but that doesn't dampen our high spirits in any way . We had a feel of the Zambian technical routes in and around the farm fields during recce and it's all systems go," said Waigwa. 

Free-Practice, Shakedown and qualifying is scheduled for Friday and will pave the way for rally proper on Saturday and Sunday.

ARC standings before Zambia Rally 

DRIVERS

1. Leroy Gomes (Zambia) 126 points

2 Karan K Patel (Kenya) 105 points

3 Hamza Anwar (Kenya) 55 points

3. Jeremiah Wahome (Kenya) 55 points

5 Jas Mangat (Uganda) 49 points

6 McRae Kimathi (Kenya) 43 points

CO-DRIVERS

1. Urshlla Gomes (Zambia )126 points

2. Khan (Kenya)105 points

3. Adnan Din (Kenya) 55 points

3.Victor Okundi (Kenya) 55 points

5. Joseph Kamya (Uganda) 49 points

6. Mwangi Kioni (Kenya) 43 points