Africa Rally champion Karan Patel has his sights set on a podium finish in the WRC2 category during the WRC Safari Rally set for March 28-31.
Patel won the 2023 African Rally championship in Tanzania after mustering 144 points, three clear of second-placed Jas Mangat of Uganda. Uganda's Yasin Nasser finished third with 110 points.
He is confident of a top-10 overall finish after working on the challenges that prevented him from finishing in the last two editions.
"We hope to accomplish a podium finish in the WRC2 and a top-10 finish overall," Patel said.
The 2023 Motorsports Personality of the Year missed last year's edition of the Safari Rally due to mechanical issues with his Mitsubishi Evo X and failed to finish the 2022 edition due to the same challenges.
He has since made changes to the vehicle.
"We have had many issues with our car, mechanical, mostly. It has let us down quite a lot. We hope it will be different this year since we have made some changes. We will surprise our fans in due course," said Patel.
He is undergoing intensive training ahead of the rally.
"The event is tasking. I am always in the gym to keep my fitness levels up ahead of the event," he said.
In addition, the 32-year-old has an eye on his African title defence.
"Once the Safari is done we will shift our focus to the Africa championship rally in Uganda," he stated.
