Foreign drivers set stage for fierce battle at Pearl of Africa Rally

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Shell V-Power Pearl of Africa Uganda Rally

Date: May 8-10, 2025

Venue: Mbarara City
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This year’s prestigious Shell V-Power Pearl of Africa Uganda Rally has attracted a strong contingent of six foreign drivers with formidable rally machines, creating competitive tension among Ugandan crews, who have traditionally dominated podium finishes.

Notably, defending champion Karan Patel and his co-driver Tauseef Khan have returned with a new Skoda Fabia R5, replacing their usual Ford Fiesta R5. The crew is not only determined to defend last season’s victory but also to collect maximum points to bolster their chances of winning the Africa Rally Championship (ARC) for a third consecutive season.

It is always a nightmare and total disaster for other competitors to start ahead of the Kenya Commercial Bank-sponsored Patel crew, given their incredible speed. Being an engineer, Patel combines high technical skill with an aggressive driving style.

He is the reigning ARC champion for 2023 and 2024 and has competed internationally since making his World Rally Championship debut at Rally de Portugal in 2016.

Another Skoda Fabia R5, driven by Kenya’s Samman Vohra and navigated by Drew Sturock, is already “hooting” for Ugandans to give way as this year’s rally approaches Mbarara City in south-western Uganda.

Born to the late Vohra, former president of the Kenya Motor Sports Federation, Samman is the reigning 2024 Kenya National Rally Champion. When he unleashes the power of his Skoda Fabia R5, it is said to sound like a bomb blast, leaving spectators scrambling for cover.

Although this will be his first appearance at the prestigious Pearl of Africa Uganda Rally, Vohra comes with great ambition, determination, and the goal of making history on his debut while earning valuable ARC points.

Kenya’s paraplegic rally driver, Nikhil Sachania, navigated by Deep Patel, will also compete behind the wheel of a Ford Fiesta R3 equipped with a modified steering system, upgraded brakes, and the latest gearshift and accelerator levers. He brings with him experience from five consecutive seasons in the WRC Safari Rally, known for its gruelling and unpredictable terrain that moulds drivers into world-class competitors.

Hamza Anwar and his co-driver Adnan Din will compete this time in a Mitsubishi Evolution 10, departing from their usual Ford Fiesta R5. In last year’s Shell V-Power Pearl of Africa Uganda Rally, the duo thrilled fans by finishing third, just a few seconds behind Ugandan Jas Mangat. Spectators are eager to see how they perform in the Mitsubishi Evolution 10.

Sameer Nanji from Kenya, navigated by Suraj Pala in a Subaru Impreza N10, also joins the fray. A no-nonsense driver, Nanji began his rally career in 2021 with the Kenya National Rally Championship.

Other foreign drivers include Issa Anwari (Kenya), navigated by Denis Menda in a Mitsubishi Evolution 10, and Rodolfo Valeri Stefano (Ethiopia), partnered with Hassan Kateregga in a Toyota Corolla.

The entry list closed last Friday with a total registration of 38 Ugandan crews and six foreign drivers. The rally will take place next week, from April 8-10, in Mbarara.