• Patel’s adroitness in the Fiesta saw him beat eventual African champion, Leroy Gomes of Zambia, to the second position
• In winning the October award, Nairobi-based Karan took home a 50-inch NanoCell TV worth Kshs. 110,000 courtesy of sponsors LG Electronics East Africa.
Karan Patel has set his sights on winning the 2023 Africa Rally championship following his victory in the Zambia Rally last month.
Patel said with the partnership he has with Red Bull, the sky is the limit.
"I'm looking to win the ARC next year and compete in many events. The hunger and desire to win the event is there and I want to do better in 2023 in the events I enter," added Patel.
The Ford Fiesta rally driver was voted the LG sports Personality of the Month for October following his fourth win of the Africa Rally championship during the season-closing Zambia international rally in Lusaka.
Speaking at the event ceremony on Wednesday, Patel was all smiles as he received the gong. "It’s always a great feeling winning individual awards. But we were not too disappointed in finishing second overall in the 2022 FIA African Rally Series. I mean, we have had a good season; we put in hard work and won four out of six events.”
Patel said despite the strong competition and good cars, 2023 will be a better year for him.
"The competition is quite formidable but that's what makes the victory even sweeter," noted Patel.
Patel’s adroitness in the Fiesta saw him beat eventual African champion, Leroy Gomes of Zambia, to the second position while McRae Kimathi sealed the podium dash in his M-Sport Poland-prepared Ford Fiesta Rally3.
In winning the October award, Nairobi-based Patel took home a 50-inch NanoCell TV worth Sh 110,000 courtesy of sponsors LG Electronics East Africa.
Patel beat a strong field of nominees including Ruth Chepngetich, who defended her Chicago Marathon title in a dominant 2:14:18—14 seconds short of compatriot Brigid Kosgei’s mark.
Others were handballer Yusuf Pwoka for his good performance during Africa Under-18 Championships despite Kenya being eliminated in quarters and Hamza Anwar for winning the ARC Junior title.
While awarding the winner, William Kamore, the LG content manager (East Africa), said their partnership has over the years boosted players’ morale to target higher limits in sports across the country.
“We are grateful to have had the opportunity to support SJAK and our sports personalities over the last seven years. Within this period, we managed to reward many of the said personalities and empowered them in their journey to the top.”
Patel becomes the fifth motorsport personality to lay his hands on the LG-sponsored award after multiple Africa champion Manvir Baryan, Junior WRC star McRae Kimathi, Nakuru’s Onkar Rai and most recently Maxine Wahome.