Patel ready for battle at ARC Rally in Rwanda

Karan Patel navigated by Tauseef Khan cruises through Hells Gate stage during WRC Safari Rally Kenya 2021 in Naivasha on June 27, 2021. [Stafford Ondego, Standard]

The fifth leg of the African Rally Championships (ARC) will rev-off in Kigali, Rwanda today.

Hot on each other's heels in the circuit is the Kenya National Rally Championships (KNRC) series leader Karan Patel who will be up against Zambian star Leroy Gomes in the expected cutthroat battle that concludes on Saturday.

Patel and his navigator Tauseef Khan have reiterated that their mission in the competition dubbed the 'Mountain Gorilla Rally' will just to attack.

"It's my second time here in Kigali, the first time I was here the rally was so nice to us. We are already excited, we are looking forward to a good competition," Karan told Standard Sports.

"I hope to bank on experience as I tackle this rally. We are here to fight for the lead and see how we can accomplish that. There is still great opportunity to go at the top being that there is still one more leg to do in Zambia next month," Patel underlined.

Khan said they will be able to master the route after the recce which was scheduled for Wednesday. He was confident of eclipsing the Zambian from the top stating that the rally is not over until it's over.

"We are determined to win the event and we are encouraging other Kenyan drivers to strive and come in between.

"We expect the rally to be twisty and fast, it will keep all drivers on the edge. We will go all flat out during the rally, but on well calculated moves, not taking risks.

"The good chemistry between Patel and I has made the season good, we can't complain as we are leading the KNRC and are second in the ARC," Khan underlined.

Gomes, who will be navigated by his wife Urshlla, leads the standings on 102 points while Patel is on 75 points.

While announcing his arrival for the fifth leg of the series, Gomez team stated: "The Ndola based motor rally contingent, the Gomes Racing Team, have arrived in Kigali, Rwanda ahead of the championships, we are hopeful for the best, we hope to maintain our winning streak."

The FIA Rally Star drivers; Jeremy Wahome, Hamza Anwar, McRae Kimathi and Maxine Wahome have all expressed optimism stating they are out to post impressive results if not winning the event.

The quartet will pilot the state-of-the-art M-Sport Ford Fiestas Rally3 cars in the contest.