Kenya's Karan Patel emerged as the overall winner of the Serengeti Rally, the fourth and final round of this year's African Rally Championship (ARC), held in Morogoro, Tanzania. Navigated by Tauseef Khan in a Skoda Fabia, Patel led the rally from start to finish, clocking the event's fastest time of 02 hours, 02 minutes, and 38.8 seconds. This victory marked a spectacular finish to the rally, with Patel demonstrating his authority throughout the competition.
Tanzanian driver Manveer Birdi finished second overall in the ARC class, driving a Skoda Fabia with navigator Zubayr Piredina. Birdi clocked a time of 02 hours, 03 minutes, and 11.5 seconds, just behind Patel. The second-place finish was a notable achievement for Birdi, who pushed Patel closely throughout the rally. Meanwhile, Yassin Nasser and his navigator Ally Katumba finished third overall in 02 hours, 10 minutes, and 28 seconds, securing a podium finish.
Patel's victory in the Serengeti Rally also earned him the African Championship title, dethroning the previous champion, Yassin Nasser. Nasser and Katumba's third-place finish in the Tanzanian round of this year's ARC showdown was not enough to retain their title. The Serengeti Rally served as the fourth round of Tanzania's National Rally Championship (NRC) for this year, with Manvir Birdi emerging as the overall winner for Tanzania.
Ahmed Huwel from Tanzania claimed the fourth position in the ARC class, driving a Toyota GR Yarris with navigator Rahim Solanki. Huwel clocked a time of 02 hours, 10 minutes, and 33 seconds. Other notable finishers included Oscar Ntambi and Godfrey Nsereko, who claimed the fifth and sixth positions respectively under ARC classification. Ntambi also secured the ARC 2 title, while Nsereko won the ARC 4 category.
The Serengeti Rally, a continental-level rally, attracted top drivers from across Africa. The rally's results had significant implications for the African Rally Championship standings, with Patel's victory marking a major upset. The event also served as a platform for local drivers to showcase their skills, with Tanzanian drivers Birdi and Huwel achieving notable finishes.
In the Tanzania National Rally Championship standings, Manvir Birdi emerged as the overall winner, with Ahmed Huwel as the runner-up. The Morogoro-based Overland Team's Kithir Marey and his navigator Awadh Bafadhil finished third in their Mitsubishi Evo 10, clocking a time of 02:14:56. Other notable finishers in the NRC included Harinnder Deere and Victor Jackson, who finished fifth overall in a Mitsubishi Evo X.
The Serengeti Rally concluded with a total of 11 finishers, with Charles Biko and David Matete claiming the seventh position in a Subaru N12. The top 10 finishers included Mussa Mswaki, Hamid Mbata, and Waleed Nahdi, among others. The event's conclusion marked the end of this year's African Rally Championship and Tanzania National Rally Championship, with Patel's victory being a highlight of the season.
Key points
- Karan Patel wins Serengeti Rally and African Championship title
- Manveer Birdi finishes second overall in ARC class
- Patel's victory marks a major upset in African Rally Championship standings
