Drivers intensify preparations for Safari Rally
Speaking after some drills with their car under the watchful eyes of their support crew, Karan Patel shared insights on their progress, stating: “We are done with our test.
Local rally drivers Nikhil Sachania and Karan Patel have intensified their preparations for the third leg of the World Rally Championship (WRC) Safari Rally scheduled for March 20 – 23, 2025 in Nakuru County.
Over the past weekend, the KCB Bank-sponsored duo put their cars to the test in Athi River in Machakos County as they finetuned their machines ahead of the global competition, which is expected to draw top rally crews from around the world. The showpiece takes part in some of the most physically demanding and challenging routes in Naivasha.
Speaking after some drills with their car under the watchful eyes of their support crew, Patel shared insights on their progress, stating: “We are done with our test. The car has undergone a major overhaul, including the engine, gearbox, and other critical components, to ensure peak performance ahead of the rally.”
The African Rally champion, alongside navigator Tauseef Khan, competes in a Skoda R5 car, while Nikhil Sachania, the only paraplegic driver in the WRC calendar, recently acquired a Ford Fiesta Rally3 and will be racing it at the event.
“We were out testing out our new car. After competing in the ARC in Rwanda, we are now gearing up for the WRC. The main goal is to get mileage on the car and fine-tune its suspension settings to handle the unforgiving Safari conditions. Having previously driven a Mitsubishi Evo X, I can feel the difference—this car is lighter, faster, and more aggressive, allowing me to navigate corners with greater precision and speed,” said Sachania who expects a better showing this time round.
The two are part of the KCB Racing Team alongside Evans Kavisi and Tinashe Gatimu, who recently received a massive shot in the arm from KCB having secured a Ksh 23 million sponsorship for the four-day grueling competition.
