Kenya’s Samman Vohra, driving a Skoda Fabia Evo and navigated by Scotsman Drew Sturrock, produced a commanding performance to win Day 1 of the Mkwawa Rally of Tanzania, the fifth and final round of the African Rally Championship (ARC).
The young Kenyan star, who is chasing his maiden continental crown, stayed out of trouble across the six stages and posted an overall time of 1:03:27.7. Vohra’s clean run included four stage wins,signaling his intent to clinch the ARC title in what has been a hotly contested season.
Many expected fellow countryman and rival Karan Patel, navigated by Tauseef Khan, to dominate on Tanzanian soil. However, Patel had to settle for second place at the end of the opening leg, despite grabbing a stage win. He trails Vohra by just 12.9 seconds with a time of 1:03:40.7, keeping the battle finely poised heading into the decisive stages.
In third place is local favorite Ahmed Huwel, partnered with Vili Oslaj in a Toyota GR Yaris. Despite this being only his second outing in the car, Huwel thrilled the home fans with a spirited drive to stay within reach of the leaders.
Local hero Ahmed Huwel is in 3rd ovaral and leading the NRC class (Photo by Johnson Were)
The Ugandan charge is led by ARC contender Yasin Nasser and co-driver Ali Katumba in their Ford Fiesta R5. A stall in the opening stage cost them crucial seconds, and while they have since opted for a cautious approach, the pair sit fourth overall with a time of 1:08:16.7. With only three stages left, Nasser must push harder if he is to etch his name into ARC history.
ARC leader Yasin Nasser lying 4th at the end of day1 (Photo by Johnson Were)
Further down the order, Burundi’s Roshanali Mohammed and Christophe Bigirimana hold fifth place in a Subaru Impreza GVB with a time of 1:13:44.1, while Prince Charles Nyerere and his brother Charles Nyerere round off the top six in their Mitsubishi Evo X on 1:16:41.1.
NRC Battle Heating Up the National Rally Championship (NRC) classification, Ahmed Huwel continues to impress, leading with a commanding cushion of 1:41.1. Chasing him is Randeep Singh Sunny alongside Manmeet Birdi in a Mitsubishi Evo IX, who have kept things tidy from the start.
Tanzania’s Randeep Singh lying 2nd in the NRC class (Photo by Johnson Were)
Third place in the NRC class belongs to Manveer Birdi, codriven by Kenya’s Ravi Chana, also in an Evo IX, clocking 1:08:56.6 to complete the day’s podium positions. Gurpal Sandhu sits fourth, with Samir Nahdi in fifth.
Day 2 promises to be the ultimate decider, featuring 132.48 kilometers, of which 60.53 km will be competitive, spread across three stages. The highlight will be the 11.91 km Kilimanjaro Power Stage, carrying vital bonus points that could tilt the balance in the ARC championship fight. The remaining 71.95 km will be liaison distance.
