Kenyan rally driver Karan Patel, currently leading the African Rally Championship (ARC) standings with an impressive 105 points, is poised to clinch victory as he heads into the penultimate leg of the season—the highly anticipated Mountain Gorilla Rally.
Having already secured the ARC title, Patel needs only to finish this round, which takes place around Kigali Heights and Bugesera District starting this Friday, to complete his dominant season. A win in Rwanda would solidify his status, adding a crowning achievement to an already spectacular year.
This year’s Mountain Gorilla Rally also sets the stage for the FIA Awards ceremony on December 12 in Kigali—the first time the prestigious FIA General Assembly and Prize Giving will be held on African soil.
Patel’s campaign began with a win in Uganda, followed by commanding victories in Zambia, Burundi, and Tanzania. Despite a mid-season withdrawal due to financial constraints, Patel remains unchallenged, especially after the ARC opener in Ivory Coast was canceled.
With main rivals Jas Mangat (28 points) and Zambia’s Leroy Anwar (24 points) absent from the competition, Patel has a golden opportunity to extend his lead and further secure his place as the ARC front-runner.
However, Ugandan contenders Michael Jr. Mukula (19 points), Kuku Ranjit Singh (18 points), and Mukasa Moustapha (17 points) are set to challenge the leaderboard, hoping to capitalize on the absence of Mangat and Anwar. Their participation promises to add a thrilling dynamic to the race as they vie for crucial points in the final stages of the season.
This year’s ARC stands in stark contrast to the ultra-competitive 2021/2022 seasons, which featured top talents like Davide Giancarlo, Carl Tundo, and McRae Kimathi.
With 21 drivers competing, the Mountain Gorilla Rally promises intense action as Patel seeks to seal his championship journey in style.
