ARC 2. Ayak Pearl of Africa Uganda Rallisi — Patel Üst Üste 3. Galibiyetini Aldı, Tanzanya'nın Tarihi NRC Başarısı

The Pearl of Africa is East Africa's leading rally event. Its special stages wind through the rolling southwestern Uganda highlands at over 1,300 metres altitude, and the combination of red murram tracks and open green savanna offers scenery unmatched on the WRC or ERC calendar. Competitors come primarily from Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania.

Patel's ARC victory was dominant. Leading the championship on arrival, he controlled the rally from start to finish and crossed the line more than three minutes 55 seconds clear of Kenyan runner-up Samman Vohra. 'This is a route I have committed to for three years,' said Patel. 'Every corner is now in my body.'

But the story that drew the most attention belonged to Randeep Singh Birdi — third overall and first in the NRC class. The Tanzanian driver, co-driven by Uganda's Enock Leroy Olinga in a Ford Fiesta Proto, completed all 12 stages to become the first Tanzanian driver to win the Ugandan National Rally Championship (NRC).

'A Tanzanian driver, a Ugandan co-driver, competing for a Ugandan title — you couldn't write this story even if you tried,' wrote one East African rally outlet. A grassroots crew on the podium against international Rally2 machinery: that is the essence of African rallying.

The ARC championship implications of Patel's Round 2 win are clear: his lead over second-placed Vohra is estimated at more than 65 points after two rounds. The ARC runs only four or five rounds per season — compact enough that a single retirement for Patel could change everything.