Uganda's Nasser third as Patel dominates day one of Equator Rally

Karan Patel in action during Day One of ARC Equator Rally in Voi, Taita Taveta county | Phot Credit: Anwar Sidi | Nation Media Group

MOTORSPORT Uganda's Nasser third as Patel dominates day one of Equator Rally

Shafic Kiyaga 22:00 - 18.03.2023

Patel's Ford Fiesta R5 had varying fortunes, but he managed to hold on and eventually win the day with an advantage of 2 minutes and 27 seconds heading into the final day.

Karan Patel and co-driver Tauseef Khan dominated day one of the Africa Rally Championship's second round, the Equator Rally, in Voi, Kenya on Saturday.

They set the pace from the start, winning three of the four morning stages and sealing the day with a commanding lead after winning two more stages in the afternoon.

Patel's Ford Fiesta R5 had varying fortunes, but he managed to hold on and eventually win the day with an advantage of 2 minutes and 27 seconds heading into the final day.

The Kenyan national champion stormed into a 33 second lead on the opening 21km Charcoal stage, but dropped into fifth on the second stage after struggling with brake problems. He however managed to galvanize himself to set the fastest time in the third speed test to reclaim top spot.

With Uganda’s Jas Mangat’s Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X showing its frailties over the opening stages, it is Hamza Anwar who brought the challenge to Patel, but his day would end prematurely after his Ford Fiesta R3 after his left shaft belt snapped.

"It has not been an easy day,” Patel told the media. “We lost our rear brakes in the first loop and were forced to depend on the front brakes which tend to overheat.”

“Also, the heat takes a toll on the drivers and the car, but thankfully we are here at the end of day one, a very small percentage of the rally remains tomorrow so hopefully everything holds up."

Young rally star Jeremiah Wahome held onto the third position after the morning loop, eventually elevating to second position after Anwar's retirement.

Uganda's Yasin Nasser continued to hold onto his pace in the top positions, landing an advantage to sit third at the end of day one.

Aakif Virane will start the final day in fourth followed by Jasmeet Chana in fifth position.

Uganda's Jas Mangat struggled with pace throughout the day but was consoled with a stage win to end his day in sixth position.

Two stages will run on Sunday with a total distance of 45.59 kilometers before a winner is declared.

Equator Rally Results (Day one):

1.Karan Patel/Tauseef Khan, Ford Fiesta R2, 1:49.21.3; 
2.Jeremiah Wahome/Victor Okundi, Ford Fiesta R3, 1:52:08.3; 
3.Yasin Nasser/Ali Katumba (UG), Ford Fiesta R2, 1:54:45.8; 
4.Aakif Virani/Azhar Bhutt, Skoda Fabia R5, 1:56:25.4; 
5.Jasmeet Chana/Ravinder Chana, Mitsubishi Lancer EVO 10, 1:5649.5; 
6.Jas Mangat/Joseph Kamya (UG), Mitsubishi Lancer EVO 10, 1:57:00.5;

Tags: