Tanzania's Karan Patel and his co-driver Tauseef Khan have made history by winning the African Rally Championship for the third time. They achieved this feat at the Serengeti Rally of Tanzania, which took place from October 1 to 4, 2026, in Morogoro. The rally was part of the African Rally Championship calendar and featured participants from Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Zambia, and Tanzania.
The Serengeti Rally of Tanzania 2026 was a four-day event held at the Tanzania Forest Service (TFS) forest farm in Morogoro. Patel, driving for team Asas, credited his win to the tough competition he faced from fellow Tanzanian Manveer Baldi, also from team Asas. Patel acknowledged the high level of competition, with participants showcasing their skills, speed, and experience in navigating the challenging rally route.
Patel expressed his satisfaction with the win, stating that it was a result of the hard work and dedication of his team. He also praised the organizers for improving the infrastructure of the rally route, which made the competition more exciting. Patel revealed that his goal is to participate in bigger international competitions, despite the challenges posed by high costs.
Manveer Baldi, the second-place winner of the African Rally Championship and first-place winner of the National Rally Championship, congratulated Patel on his win. Baldi attributed his loss to Patel's experience in the competition, which proved to be a significant obstacle for him. Baldi expressed his determination to perform better in future competitions, including the upcoming rally in Arusha.
The Serengeti Rally of Tanzania saw a strong participation from drivers from various countries. Yasin Nasser from team Ampiano took third place, followed by Ahmed Huwel from team Mkwawa in fourth place. Oscar Ntambila from Uganda secured fifth place, while Dk Nsereko Godfrey from Uganda took sixth place. Unfortunately, Susan Muwonge, the only female driver, and her co-driver Musa Nsubuga from Uganda, failed to complete the rally due to car problems.
Patel's win marks his third consecutive African Rally Championship title, solidifying his position as a top driver in the region. His achievement is a testament to his skills and experience in the sport. The Serengeti Rally of Tanzania has once again demonstrated its reputation as a challenging and exciting competition, attracting top drivers from across Africa.
The African Rally Championship will continue to be a platform for drivers to showcase their skills and compete at the highest level. With Patel's win, Tanzania has reaffirmed its presence in the rallying world, and fans can expect more exciting competitions in the future. The next rally is expected to take place in Arusha, where drivers will once again compete for top honors.
Key points
- - Karan Patel wins African Rally Championship for the third time - The Serengeti Rally of Tanzania was a four-day event held from October 1 to 4, 2026 - Patel's win marks his third consecutive African Rally Championship title
