Butterflies in tummy: Karan Patel's nervous excitement ahead of Rally Zambia showdown with Gomes

©Karan Patel Racing

MOTORSPORTS Butterflies in tummy: Karan Patel's nervous excitement ahead of Rally Zambia showdown with Gomes

Festus Chuma 12:32 - 20.10.2023

Kenyan champ Karan Patel faces fierce rivals, including Zambian favorite Leroy Gomes, in a nail-biting ARC showdown that could redefine championship standings.

As the engines rev up and the anticipation soars, the Zambia International Rally is set to kick off on Friday afternoon, promising an electrifying weekend of high-speed racing action.

The rally, which serves as the penultimate round of the Africa Rally Championship (ARC), could potentially determine the next ARC champions.

The stage is set, and the battle lines are drawn, with three seasoned crews vying for supremacy: Yasin Nasser, Karan Patel, and Jas Mangat.

Nasser currently leads the pack, but Karan Patel, the defending champion from Kenya, is well aware of the formidable challenge presented by Zambian national Leroy Gomes, who possesses a significant advantage on his home turf.

In a pre-rally interview, Karan Patel shared his thoughts on the upcoming competition and the intense rivalry in the ARC.

"Experience teaches you not to allow pressure to dictate how you handle an event. We are always improving, so hopefully, he has improved, and I think he has nothing to lose in this round of ARC," Karan remarked.

He acknowledged the exceptional driving skills displayed by Gomes last year, leaving spectators wondering if he had given his maximum effort.

"I can still find out now, but we are always ready for the challenge," he added.

The battle for ARC supremacy is poised on a knife's edge, with only three points separating the top three contenders.

Patel, with his eyes firmly set on retaining his championship, expressed his belief that the competition will be nerve-wracking yet exhilarating.

"I believe there will be butterflies in our tummies throughout the entire event, but that's what keeps us on the edge, and it's more exciting that way," he shared.

In addition to the battle for ARC supremacy, the Junior ARC category will witness a gripping competition between Tanzania's Charles Nyerere and Kenya's Hamza Anwar.

Nyerere is aiming to extend his lead and solidify his position at the top of the standings.

Furthermore, in the ARC2 category, Uganda's Innocent Bwamiki is all set to secure vital points that could help him clinch the championship in this category.

The rally is expected to kick off on Friday afternoon with a 1.56-kilometer qualifying stage, a crucial starting point for competitors looking to secure favorable positions.

Following the qualifying stage, the rally will feature sixteen competitive stages over the weekend, covering a total of 204.23 kilometers.

Each stage presents its unique set of challenges, from treacherous terrains to high-speed straights, ensuring that the rally drivers will need to bring their A-game to conquer them all.

Tags: