Karan wins 2026 FIA African Rally Championship in Tanzania

Karan Patel and Tauseef Khan are the 2026 FIA African Rally Championship (ARC) drivers' and navigators' champions respectively.

The 2022 Kenyan champions and KCB Racing Team drivers sealed their third continental title at the ongoing ARC Serengeti Rally of Tanzania, after their only remaining title rival and compatriot Aakif Virani and Zahir Shah withdrew from the ARC season finale.

In a statement posted last night, Virani's Arrow Racing Team announced they had taken a strategic decision to consolidate second position in the overall standings and not contest the final round.

"It is with deep regret we announce our withdrawal from the ARC final round in Morogoro, Tanzania. After a hard-fought season, Arrow Racing Team (Aakif Virani and Zahir Shah) has taken the strategic decision to consolidate 2nd position in the overall African Rally Championship standings," the team said.

"Congratulations to Karan Patel and Tauseef Khan on becoming the 2026 African Rally Champions."

The withdrawal hands Patel and co-driver Tauseef an unassailable lead heading into the final two days of competition on Saturday and Sunday.

The championship was almost effectively over as Patel only needed a finish in Tanzania — but the news now confirms him as champion before Day 1 starts Saturday.

It is a historic third ARC title for Patel, who now becomes only the fourth driver in the 45-year history of the FIA African Rally Championship to win three or more titles.

Patel joins an elite list led by Zambian legend Satwant Singh (8 titles), Ivory Coast's Alain Ambrosino (3 titles) and fellow Kenyan Manvir Baryan (3 titles).

Meanwhile, Patel with partner Tauseef had earlier underlined their intent by winning today's 2.40 KM SS00 Mkwawa Qualifying Stage in Morogoro.

The Kenyan crew clocked 01:58.1 in a Skoda Fabia to beat Tanzania Champion Ahmed Huwel (Toyota Yaris GR Rally2) by 0.6 seconds in 01:58.7, with Manveer Birdi third in 01:59.8.

Under ARC rules, the qualifying winner chooses his starting position. Patel opted to start fifth on the road at 09:12 — directly behind Huwel in fourth.

Virani is assured of second position in the 2026 ARC regardless of the final results this weekend, and most importantly, the ARC Masters title (for competitors over 50 years) he sealed at the penultimate event in Rwanda.

The start list for Day 1 on Satuday will be led by Uganda's Oscar Ntambi (09:00), followed by 2025 champion Yasin Nasser (09:03) and Manveer Birdi (09:06). Ntambi claimed the ARC2 title without turning a wheel after his Rwandese opponent Christian Kanangire failed to enter the season-ender in Morogoro.

The Serengeti Rally, running from 2-4 October, is the ARC season closer.  The rally proper starts tomorrow in the Morogoro region, with crews facing a stern test of endurance before Sunday's finale.

1. Karan Patel / Tauseef Khan (KEN - Skoda Fabia)  01:58.1

2. Ahmed Huwel / Roheet Solanki (TZA - Toyota Yaris GR)  01:58.7 +0.6

3. Manveer Birdi / Zubayr Piredina (TZA - Skoda Fabia Evo)  01:59.8 +1.7