Reigning Africa Rally champion Karan Patel is set to participate in the World Rally Championship (WRC) Safari Rally scheduled to take place on March 28-31st 2024 in Naivasha.

The KCB Racing Team driver and his navigator Tauseef Khan will be behind the wheels of a Skoda Fabia R5 and will be the favorites in the Kenya National Rally Championship (KNRC) category.

Speaking ahead of the world spectacle, Karan said: “I can say the car is almost 100 percent ready for next week’s event. We have been burning the midnight oil to ensure we are ready to take on the grueling Safari Rally.

“As far as preparation goes, we’ve probably done our best and that’s what matters and the next part is up to me when I’m behind the wheel in the actual rally for me to do my best because the team have done their best in preparing for the race,” Karan said.

“I cannot wait to compete against the best drivers from around the world,” he added.

The safari rally doubles up as the second round of the Kenya national rally championship [KNRC].

Organizers have confirmed 19 local drivers who will participate in the competition.

Among the star names enlisted for the category include five-time Safari rally winner Carl Flash Tundo, KNRC defending champion Jasmeet Iceman Chana, Aakif Virani and paraplegic driver Nikhil Sachania who is also sponsored by KCB.

KCB has sponsored the event to the tune of Ksh195 million in addition to supporting Sachania and Patel.

In the main WRC Safari Rally category, the three time WRC Safari rally winners Toyota Gazoo racing team will be led by their Finnish sensation Kalle Rovanperä and Japanese hotshot Takamoto Katsuta while 2019 WRC Champion Ott Tanak and Belgian Thierry Neuville will lead the Hyundai motorsport team.

The competition makes a return to its traditional Easter weekend for the first time in 27 years and will hope to spring a surprise for the drivers who haven’t experienced the course during a rainy season.