Day one of the Equator rally proves a challenge for drivers but Karan Patel and co-driver Tauseef Khan are proving they mean business as they lead the first day in their Ford Fiesta R5 doing a total time of 1:46:55.8.
The first day proved challenging for the drivers and the unforgiving terrains in Soysambu, Elementaita, and Sleeping Warrior made for a challenge to keep up as the cars were in for an uphill battle. Patel won the qualifying stage/shakedown on Friday, and as the competition started, the crew won the first stage in 23:12.7, won the second stage in 10:40.0, the third stage in 16:55.0, the fourth stage in 23:46.7, but came in fifth place in the fifth stage with 11:56.1. In the closing stage (sixth), they came in fifth place at 20:25.3; with their steady placing they managed to keep hold of the first place at the end of the day.
In second place by end of day one is Jeremy Wahome navigated by Victor Okundi with a time of 1:47:33.1 in their Ford Fiesta Rally3. A difference of +37.3seconds separates them from Patel. Wahome slowly but steadily climbed to the second place throughout the day; starting off seventh in stage one, fifth in SS2 Elementaita, back to seventh in SS3, climbing to second in SS4 behind Patel, fourth in SS5, and finishing second in the last stage of the day at 17:01.9.
Jasmeet Chana navigated by Ravi Chana finished third overall with a time of 1:48:26.2. The Chana brothers also took it steadily throughout the day, finishing eighth in the first stage, sixth in second stage, fifth in third, third in fourth, fifth, and sixth stages. Raaji Bharij and co-driver Ghataure Jasnell represented for the classic cars finishing fourth after a grueling day with a time of 1:50:03.9 in the classic Ford Escort MK1. Closing the top five was Zambia’s husband and wife duo Leroy Gomes and Urshilla Gomes in a Ford Fiesta R5 with a time of 1:50:29.4. Gomes finished first in the last stage of the day but struggled through the different stages during the day. They finished second in the first two stages, dropped to fourth in the third, then dropped to seventh in SS4, but came back strong in SS5 and SS6 finishing in first place. The rough terrains proved challenging for the team as well as the other crews that retired through the stages. By the end of the first day, only seven crews managed to complete the day!
The only female driver, Maxine Wahome navigated by Waigwa Murage finished in sixth place in a time of 2:05:32.9. This is a good performance for this trailblazing driver being the only female to complete and only female in the rally. Varese Leonardo co-driven by Kareithi Kigondu completed the seven; came in with a time of 2:28:34:5. Drivers like Ian Duncan, Aakif Virani, Amaanraj Rai, Giancarlo Davite, and McRae Kimathi retired due to mechanical issues.
It’s shaping up to be an interesting event, with the last stages to be run on Sunday, fans are looking to see if Patel will hold on to that first place.
