Kenyan driver Karan Patel has completed an unbeaten 2026 African Rally Championship (ARC) season, securing his fourth straight victory at the Serengeti Rally in Tanzania. Patel, who had already clinched his third consecutive ARC title before the start of the final leg, dominated the rally from the flag-off to win in a cumulative time of 2:02:37.8. His trusted navigator Tauseef Khan played a crucial role in the victory.
Patel's victory was a strategic decision for the Arrow Racing Team, who had decided to focus on consolidating their second position overall in the championship rather than contesting the final leg. Second-placed Aakif Virani pulled out of the Tanzania showdown, citing the team's strategy to prioritize their overall standing. Virani stated that the team had taken a strategic decision to consolidate their position and not contest the final leg.
The podium at the Serengeti Rally was completed by Tanzania's Manveer Birdi, who secured second place in 2:03:11.5, and Uganda's Yasin Nasser, who finished third in 2:10:28.6. Patel's victory marked the end of an impressive 2026 campaign, which saw him remain unbeaten throughout the continental championship. He accumulated a commanding 152 points to cap his successful season.
Patel's title assault began emphatically at the opening round, the WRC Safari Rally, held from March 12-15. He powered to victory with a cumulative time of 4:26:54.6, finishing comfortably ahead of Virani and last year's ARC runner-up Samman Vohra. The Kenyan driver's impressive performance set the tone for his successful season.
Patel tightened his grip on the championship at the Uganda Rally, staged from May 7-10. He produced another commanding drive to stop the clock in 2:03:06, outpacing Vohra and defending African champion Yasin Nasser. The victory marked Patel's second win of the season and further solidified his lead in the championship.
Patel's dominance continued at the Rwanda Mountain Gorilla Rally, where he charged to victory in 2:13:18.6. The win marked his fourth victory on Rwandan soil, further underlining his mastery of the demanding event. Tanzania's Ahmed Huwel finished second, and Virani completed the podium in third.
Patel's impressive performance in the 2026 ARC season marked a successful defense of his title. He had previously conquered the Rwanda Rally in 2022 and 2023, and his victory in 2024 marked a memorable hat-trick of wins at the event. His unbeaten season was a testament to his skill and consistency as a driver.
Key points
- Karan Patel completes an unbeaten 2026 ARC season with four straight victories.
- Patel clinches his third consecutive ARC title before the start of the final leg.
- The Kenyan driver accumulates 152 points to cap his successful season.
