Hat-trick in sight: Karan Patel storms into Serengeti chasing African rally history this weekend

Two-time African Rally Champion Karan Patel will be chasing a slice of continental history as he bids to become only the fourth driver to win three or more FIA African Rally Championship (ARC) titles when the 2026 season reaches its decisive finale at the Serengeti Rally in Tanzania this weekend (October 2–4).

Only three drivers have previously scaled that remarkable milestone on Africa’s premier rally stage. French rally great Alain Ambrosino, representing Ivory Coast, was the first to complete the feat after lifting the continental crown in 1983, 1986 and 1987.

However,  Zambia’s Satwant Singh, whose extraordinary record of eight titles came in 1988, 1989, 1991, 1993, 1996, 1997, 1998 and 2000, remains the most decorated name in ARC history. The most recent driver to complete a championship hat-trick was Kenya’s Manvir Baryan, who reigned supreme in 2017, 2018 and 2019.

Patel now stands on the brink of joining that exclusive club. The Kenyan speed merchant claimed his maiden ARC title in 2023 before defending it successfully in 2024. His pursuit of a third straight championship in 2025 was derailed by relentless mechanical gremlins that sidelined him during several rounds.

However, the 35-year-old has returned with renewed determination and looks every bit the driver to beat. Patel heads into the Serengeti showdown atop the standings with 118 points, holding a commanding advantage over fellow Kenyan Aakif Virani, who sits second on 85. Jasmeet Chana ranks third with 67 points, while Samman Vohra is fourth on 66, completing a remarkable Kenyan lockout of the championship’s top four places.

Behind the wheel of his Škoda Fabia R5 and guided by long-time friend and co-driver Tauseef Khan, Patel will focus on scoring maximum points in Tanzania.

Virani still has a mathematical chance of snatching the title, with an ARC victory worth 30 points and a further five bonus points available from the Power Stage.

The Patel-Khan partnership launched their 2026 championship assault emphatically at the opening round, the WRC Safari Rally (March 12–15), where they produced a commanding performance to win in 4:26:54.6.

They finished comfortably ahead of Virani, who clocked 4:43:06.7, while Vohra completed an all-Kenyan podium sweep in 4:46:47.1. Their grip on the championship tightened further at the Uganda Rally (May 7–10), where another clinical drive saw them stop the clock in 2:03:06.

Once again, they outpaced Vohra, who settled for second in 2:04:44, while defending African champion Yasin Nasser of Uganda rounded off the podium in 2:08:59. Patel and Khan were equally imperious at the third round, the Rwanda Mountain Gorilla Rally, where they stormed to victory in 2:13:18.6.

Tanzania’s Ahmed Huwel finished second in 2:20:48.5, while Virani claimed third in 2:25:52.4. The latest triumph also marked a fourth victory for the Patel-Khan partnership at the prestigious Rwandan event.

Patel first conquered the Rwanda Rally in 2022, winning in 1:19:40.3 ahead of Zambia’s Leroy Gomes (1:19:53.5), while Kenya’s Hamza Anwar completed the podium in 1:21:21.8.

He successfully defended the title in 2023, posting 1:20:16.5 to narrowly fend off Uganda’s Jas Mangat (1:20:33.2), while Anwar once again finished third in 1:25:46.5.

The Kenyan completed a memorable hat-trick in 2024, delivering a lights-to-flag masterclass aboard his Škoda Fabia R5 to triumph in 1:37:47.7.

Uganda’s Michael Mukula and Edward Kiyingi finished second in 1:50:21.1, while Kenya’s paraplegic ace Nikhil Sachania secured third in 1:55:36.3.

Last year, however, Patel’s quest for an unprecedented fourth consecutive Rwanda crown ended in heartbreak after crashing into a tree on Stage Three, forcing an early retirement.

by TEDDY MULEI