Overview of the 2025 Rwanda Mountain Gorilla Rally
On Friday, July 4, a total of 20 drivers set off to participate in the 2025 Rwanda Mountain Gorilla Rally. Among them are five drivers who are competing for points in the 2025 FIA African Rally Championship (ARC). The event began with a flag-off at the intersection of the Kigali Convention Centre and Kigali Heights roads, where participants completed two rounds for the classification stage. This initial phase was followed by a more intense competition on the dusty roads of Bugesera District, where a 239-kilometer drive course would ultimately determine the winner.
Key Competitors in the ARC
The five drivers participating in the ARC include three Kenyans: Sachania Nikhil and Patel Deep driving Ford Fiesta models, and Semman Vohra and Drew Sturrock in Skoda Fabia R5 vehicles. Additionally, Karan Patel and Tauseef Khan are also part of the competition, both driving Skoda Fabia R5s. Two other competitors from Uganda, Yassin Nasser and Ali Katumbai, are using Ford Fiesta models. They currently lead the ARC rankings. From Tanzania, Prince Charles Nyerere is competing, while Rwandan driver Fernand Rutabingwa is piloting a Mitsubishi Lancer, Evo X.
Qualification Stage and Performance Highlights
The qualification stage took place on Friday and involved a 2.3-kilometer drive that determined the drivers’ rankings before the main event on Saturday. The top performers on Saturday included Karan Patel, who secured first place after completing the course in three minutes and 25 seconds. Samman Vohra followed closely behind, finishing in three minutes and 39 seconds, while Yassin Nasser came in third with a time of three minutes and 52 seconds.
After the qualification round, the drivers moved to Bugesera District for a 145.62-kilometer challenge on the Gako-Gasenyi-Nemba roads. This section of the rally is expected to be one of the most demanding, testing both speed and endurance. The final leg of the event will take place on Sunday, July 6, when drivers explore the dusty roads of Kamabuye-Gako-Ruhuha, covering a distance of 94.2 kilometers.
Goals and Expectations
Karan Patel is not only aiming for his third consecutive victory in Rwanda but is also looking to solidify his position as a dominant force in the region. Meanwhile, Yassin Nasser is focused on maintaining his lead in the ARC standings by outperforming his rivals throughout the event. The combination of challenging terrain, high-speed sections, and strategic navigation makes this rally a significant test for all participants.
With a mix of experienced drivers and rising stars, the 2025 Rwanda Mountain Gorilla Rally promises to deliver thrilling performances and intense competition. As the event progresses, fans can expect exciting moments, close finishes, and memorable challenges on some of the most rugged roads in the region.
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