This year’s Safari Rally has once again lived up to its reputation as one of the toughest rounds on the World Rally Championship calendar, with rough terrain, deep ruts and unpredictable weather conditions challenging crews throughout the stages.

Meanwhile Kenyan rally driver Karan Patel continues to fly the country’s flag high at the ongoing Safari Rally Kenya, holding his own in the WRC2 category despite the punishing terrain that has already humbled some of the sport’s biggest names.

Ahead of the Saturday afternoon session, the two-time African Rally Championship (ARC) champion sits seventh in the WRC2 standings after receiving a 10-second penalty earlier in the rally.

Fellow Kenyans are also putting in strong performances in the highly competitive category. Aakif Virani and Samman Vohra currently occupy eighth and ninth place respectively.

Virani incurred a 10.10-second penalty while Vohra was handed an 11.10-second penalty.

Another Kenyan competitor, Hamza Anwar, is placed 12th in the overall standings as the demanding rally continues to test both drivers and machines.

Elsewhere in the WRC3 category, Nikhil Sachania one of the drivers backed by Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) is enjoying a strong outing and currently sits second in his class.