Patel crashes out early as Vohra dominates blistering Mt. Gorilla rally opener
The 2025 Mt. Gorilla Rally wasted no time delivering high-speed drama and heartbreak, as Kenya’s Karan Patel bowed out early and young gun Samman Vohra lit up the leaderboard with a commanding morning performance.
Standings After Stage 2:
- Samman Vohra (KEN) – Skoda Fabia Evo – 11:48
- Giancarlo Davite – 13:49
- Nikhil Sachania – 13:54
- Yasin Nasser – 14:03
- Prince Nyerere – 14:45
- Joshua Muwanguzi – 15:29
In just two stages, the rally has already taken its toll—claiming one of Kenya’s top contenders and shaking up the championship picture.
The biggest headline of the morning was the early retirement of Karan Patel, who slid off course in his Skoda R5 and was unable to continue. The multiple rally winner had come in as a favourite, but motorsport’s unpredictability struck hard and early. Fortunately, he walked away uninjured.
In contrast, fellow Kenyan Samman Vohra couldn’t have asked for a better start. Piloting his Skoda Fabia Evo with sharp precision and fearless speed, Vohra stunned spectators with a blistering combined time of 11 minutes, 48 seconds, building a full two-minute gap on his closest rival. It was a statement-driven confidence, composed and courageous.
Behind him, Giancarlo Davite is keeping the pressure on, not only second overall but also dominating the National Rally Championship (NRC) class.
With two stage wins in the bag, Davite is showing his experience and poise on the demanding Ugandan terrain.
Another standout is Uganda’s own Yasin Nasser, who is pushing hard despite struggling with mechanical issues in his Ford Fiesta. His fourth-place standing is a testament to perseverance and local knowledge.
Also impressing with clean, consistent runs are Kenya’s Nikhil Sachania and Prince Nyerere. While they may not be the fastest through the flying sections, their smart, risk-free approach is paying off, and with more stages ahead, reliability could be the deciding factor.
There was a dramatic scare when Yoto Fabrice rolled his Subaru N8. Luckily, the driver escaped unharmed, but the incident underscored just how quickly fortunes can change in rallying.
As the crews prepare for the afternoon loop, the tension is rising. With Vohra in control but the chasing pack tightening up, the Mt. Gorilla Rally is already shaping into a thriller.
