Gomes Rally Team, back after conflicts, faces Kenya's Patel and rising star Anwar in Rally Zambia comeback—motorsport excitement ignited.
Zambia motorsport fans can rejoice as Leroy and Urshlla Gomes of the Gomes Rally Team have decided to rejoin the competition and participate in Rally Zambia, which is part of the prestigious Africa Rally Championship (ARC).
Their decision comes after a brief hiatus due to conflicts with the Zambia Motorsports Association Executive and the National Sports Council of Zambia.
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The Gomes Rally Team, known for their impressive racing skills and the iconic Ford Fiesta R5, had initially pulled out of the competition earlier in the season, much to the dismay of their supporters.
However, the outcry from fans and the rallying community urged them to reconsider their decision, and they have now confirmed their return.
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In a statement released by the Gomes Rally Team, Leroy and Urshlla expressed their gratitude to their family, friends, and loyal fans for the unwavering support and encouragement they received during their absence from the rally scene.
"It has been one of the hardest decisions and actions we've had to take. We read all your comments on our page, and not being able to give you all a certain answer to the problems we were faced with was even harder," the statement reads.
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Fortunately, the Gomes Rally Team was granted an opportunity to hold discussions with the governing bodies, including the Zambia Motorsports Association Executive and the National Sports Council of Zambia, along with affiliated clubs.
The Gomes Rally Team is now faced with the monumental task of preparing their cars and arranging all the necessary logistics in less than seven days.
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They are all set to face stiff competition, notably from last year's ARC champion, Karan Patel of Kenya, and his co-driver, Tauseef Khan.
Patel's victory in the previous season established him as a dominant force in the ARC, and the Gomes will undoubtedly be looking to dethrone him in their Ford Fiesta R5.
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The Gomes Rally Team concluded their statement with a warm and welcoming message to their foreign competitors: "We confirm that we will be racing at the Sarago Zambia International Rally next weekend and we welcome our foreign friends onto home soil."
Another noteworthy contender for this season's ARC is Hamza Anwar of Kenya. He finished fourth overall in Zambia during the previous season, which secured his 2022 ARC Junior title.