By KPC Sports Correspondent
Kenya’s Karan Patel etched his name into African rally history on Saturday after storming to a third consecutive victory at the iconic Pearl of Africa Uganda Rally, becoming only the second driver ever to achieve the feat after compatriot Manvir Baryan.
Patel, navigated by Tauseef Khan, sealed victory after a dramatic late twist in SS10 Kaguta 3 when longtime rally leader Samman Vohra suffered a devastating mechanical failure with just two kilometres left in the stage.
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The Kenyan duo had previously won the event in Jinja in 2024 and followed it up with victories in Mbarara in both 2025 and 2026, equaling Baryan’s remarkable run of triumphs between 2017 and 2019.
The decisive moment came when Vohra’s car developed a prop shaft problem towards the end of SS10, abruptly ending what had been a commanding performance throughout the weekend.
The reigning ARC Junior Champion had dominated the rally from the outset, beating Patel by 1:58.3 in SS1 and 2:31.1 in SS2 before opening up an imposing 5:49 lead after Friday’s Leg One.
Vohra revealed that he had built an even larger advantage before disaster struck.
“We were going really well. I think by the time we had a mechanical failure, we had a lead of eight minutes and two seconds and two kilometres to the end of SS10, the prop shaft just blew,” he said.
“Freak failure; we had to stop and then drove the car on front-wheel drive. It’s rallying, an eight-minute lead reduced to nothing.”
Patel himself had endured a difficult Friday after power steering issues cost him valuable time, but he stayed within touching distance during Saturday’s stages. When Vohra hit trouble in SS10, Patel inherited the lead and safely guided his car to the finish.
For Vohra, the result marked another painful chapter in Uganda. He also retired from the event last year and is still searching for his first victory on the demanding Ugandan terrain despite repeatedly showing blistering pace in the “land of milk and honey.”
However, Vohra bounced back in style by claiming maximum bonus points on the closing Shell V-Power Stage after edging Patel into second place.
The victory leaves Patel at the summit of the Africa Rally Championship standings with 83 points. Vohra climbed to second place with 66 points while Aakif Virani slipped to third on 60.
Reigning African Rally Champion Yasin Nasser delighted home fans by finishing third overall ahead of Aakif Virani and Jasmeet Chana.
Virani had been on course for second place before suffering a costly five-minute penalty that dropped him down the standings.
Meanwhile, Jasmeet Chana, popularly known as “Iceman,” impressed on his Uganda debut and was satisfied with his measured approach.
“The essence this weekend was to drive with our head, not to take too many risks,” Chana said.
“We would be better off though, but had power steering and drive shaft issues in Friday’s Leg One.”
Ugandan rally legend Charlie Lubega also boasts three victories in the event’s history, although unlike Patel and Baryan, his wins were not consecutive.
Roll of Honour – Pearl of Africa Uganda Rally
1996: Karim Hirji/Frank Nekusa – Toyota Celica ST 185
1997: Chipper Adams/Justin Beyendeza – Toyota Supra
1998: Charles Muhangi/Steven Byaruhanga – Subaru Impreza
1999: Chipper Adams/Justin Beyendeza – Toyota Supra
2000: Charlie Lubega/Abed Musa – Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 4
2002: Johnny Gemmel/Robert Paisley – Subaru Impreza WRX
2003: Charlie Lubega/Abed Musa – Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 4
2004: Charlie Lubega/Abed Musa – Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 4
2005: Riyaz Kurji/Sayed Kadri – Subaru Impreza N10
2006: Riyaz Kurji/Sayed Kadri – Subaru Impreza N8
2007: Conrad Rautenbach/Peter Marsh – Subaru Impreza N10
2008: Jamie Whyte/Phil Archenoul – Subaru Impreza N10
2009: Riyaz Kurji/Sayed Kadri – Subaru Impreza N8
2010: Jamie Whyte/Phil Archenoul – Subaru Impreza N10
2011: Ponsiano Lwakataka/Musa Nsubuga – Subaru Impreza N8
2012: Mohammed Essa/Greg Stead – Subaru Impreza N12
2013: Jas Mangat/Gihan de Silva – Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X
2014: Rajbir Rai/Tim Challen – Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X
2015: Jaspreet Singh Chatthe/Craig Thorley – Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X
2016: Hassan Alwi/Enock Olinga – Subaru Impreza STi N14
2017: Manvir Singh Baryan/Drew Sturrock – Škoda Fabia R5
2018: Manvir Singh Baryan/Drew Sturrock – Škoda Fabia R5
2019: Manvir Singh Baryan/Drew Sturrock – Škoda Fabia R5
2020: Cancelled due to COVID
2021: Cancelled due to COVID
2022: Jas Mangat/Joseph Kamya – Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X
2023: Jas Mangat/Joseph Kamya
2024: Karan Patel/Tauseef Khan – KEN/KEN
2025: Karan Patel/Tauseef Khan – KEN/KEN
2026: Karan Patel/Tauseef Khan – KEN/KEN
