Karan Patel Wins Day One of the Kenya Equator Rally 2023

Karan Patel and co-driver Tauseef Khan won day one of the Kenya Equator rally in their Ford Fiesta R5 with a total time of 1:49:21. Patel won five out of the eight super stages run on Saturday, March 18; SS1 Charcol1, SS3 Karani1, SS4 Kamtonga1, SS5 Charcoal2, and SS6 Camp2.

Yasin Nasser and Ali Katumba in a stage in their Ford Fiesta R5. Photo credit: Innocent Mutaawe.

In second place, was Jeremiah Wahome and co-driver Victor Okundi in their Ford Fiesta R3 with a time of 1:52:08. There was a time difference of 2:47 between Wahome and Patel. Wahome won one stage; SS Karani2 but put-up good stage times throughout the day as he stayed consistent. The youngster won the first round of the Kenya National Rally Championship (KNRC) and is looking to hold onto his top position.

Representing Uganda, Yasin Nasser, alongside co-driver Ali Katumba finished in third place in their Ford Fiesta R5 with a time of 1:54:45. The Moil rally team crew held steady throughout the day, placing fifth in SS1, third in SS2, fourth in SS3, fifth in SS4, second in SS5, eighth in SS6, third in SS7, and second in the last stage of the day. As Ugandan fans cheer on the team, they hope to secure a podium win in this event, given that it is their first African Rally Championship (ARC) round.

There were only eight overall finishers of the first round as some crews suffered technical issues throughout the day and retired: Hamza Anwar and co-driver Adnan Din retired in SS6 with a broken left shaft belt, Anwar won SS2, Raajpal Bharij retired in SS4, Piero Canobbio retired in SS1, Rio Smith retired in SS6, and Anthony Nielsen retired in SS2. Jas Mangat and co-driver Joseph Kamya had issues throughout the day.

The event closes on Sunday and will run only two stages in 45.59km.