Karan Patel dominates Zambia Rally to maintain perfect record in FIA African Rally Championship

Reigning African champion Karan Patel continued his impressive performance by clinching another victory at the Zambia International Rally, marking his second consecutive win in this year’s FIA African Rally Championship held in Ndola, Zambia.

With this win Patel not only solidifies his lead but also extends his unbeaten streak positioning himself as a formidable contender for the title.

The 24-year-old M-Sport driver impressed at Tet Rally Latvia winning stages and earning accolades for his performance despite a late mechanical issue.

Pate skillfully navigated by his long-time co-driver Tauseef Khan showcased exceptional prowess behind the wheel of his Skoda R5.

The duo’s synergy and Patel’s adept handling of the rally car led them to their seventh consecutive win at the event, achieving a notable hat-trick in their rally career.

The Zambia rally which is a significant event in the African Rally Championship circuit witnessed a reduced field of competitors this year.

Kalle Rovanpera clinched a dominant victory at Tet Rally Latvia revisiting his early racing roots for a memorable win.

Notably absent was Ugandan driver Jas Mangat, a potential title rival, who opted out of the race due to business commitments.

Kenya’s Hamza Anwar also withdrew shortly before the competition began citing financial difficulties leaving Patel and Khan without some of their key competitors.

The rally also featured South African driver JJ Potgieter and navigator Rikus Fourie, who took on the challenging course in a Hyundai i20 R4.

Kalle Rovanpera won his 200th WRC stage extending his lead in Rally Latvia while teammate Sebastien Ogier narrowly avoided disaster.

This vehicle, known for its 1600 turbo and 4WD capabilities, attracted considerable attention, particularly for its performance in the SA Premier Class AR 1—a class specifically designed for a new generation of 4WD rally cars.

Although the South Africans pushed their car to the limits, they could not match the pace set by Patel’s Skoda R5.

Looking ahead, the focus now shifts to the next rounds of the African Rally Championship, where Patel aims to continue his winning streak and secure his position at the top of the leaderboard.

The Frenchman was involved in a severe crash during Rally Poland recon but is now set to return in Latvia.

Competitors and rally enthusiasts alike are eager to see if anyone can challenge Patel’s supremacy in this thrilling motorsport series.

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