Nikhil Sachania drives ARC3 dream alive
By Samson Ateka, July 16, 2025Kenya’s paraplegic rally hero Nikhil Sachania reignited his African title hopes by winning the ARC3 class at the gruelling Rwanda Mountain Gorilla Rally.
“It puts us in real contention for the overall ARC Championship, which is incredibly exciting,” Sachania quipped.
He has since termed Rwanda’s Gorilla experience “an incredibly challenging but rewarding outing.”
“Finishing second presents a proud moment for both me and the team. Rwanda always delivers a tough but beautiful event, and I’m grateful for the support we received from fans and organisers. I’d like to give a big thank you to our sponsors, BPR Bank, KCB Bank and Kenya Airways, for making this possible,” explained Sachania.
He continued, “As a paraplegic driver, every rally is a reminder that disability is not inability, and I hope my performance inspires others to keep pushing their limits. Winning the ARC3 title is a huge achievement for us and a testament to the hard work, resilience, and teamwork that’s gone into every rally. It puts us in real contention for the overall ARC Championship, which is incredibly exciting.”
He believes that consistency and hard work will pay off and that credible results will be forthcoming by and large.
“We have shown that consistency and determination can take us far, and we’re ready to keep pushing for the top. I’m proud to be representing not only my team and sponsors, BPR Bank, KCB Bank, and Kenya Airways, but also to be flying the flag for inclusive motorsport across Africa,” added Sachania, who made history as the first driver from the continent to win the WRC3 support category at the WRC Safari Rally Kenya in March.
But Sachania believes that the overall ARC title is still up for grabs with two rallies to spare.
“It will definitely be a tough challenge, but with the support of my team, family, friends and KCB, we will put in our best,” he quipped.
The penultimate round of the ARC heads to Burundi on the weekend of August 15-17, 2025, after which crews will embark on the season-closing Rally of Tanzania on September 19-21.
After three rounds already held in Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda, Ugandan speedster Yasin Nasser has leapfrogged to the summit of the ARC standings despite finishing fourth overall in Rwanda.
In the tour of Rwanda, Samman Vohra chalked up his maiden ARC victory, beating Sachania to second place, while Tanzanian Prince Charles Nyerere took third, and Ugandan champion Yasin Nasser finished fourth.
Navigated by Briton Drew Sturrock behind the wheel of a Skoda Fabia Rally2 evo, the reigning Kenya champion had his campaign effectively sewn up when compatriot and defending African champion Karan Patel crashed out in the mid-morning stages of Saturday’s Leg 1.
Karan Patel and his partner Tauseef Khan retired on Saturday’s 16.0km SS3 Nemba 1 speed test and didn’t restart under Super Rally on Sunday.
Rwandese old-boy Giancarlo Davite emerged the winner in the National category, beating Ugandan Joshua Mwanguzi to second spot.
Davite (62) is one of Rwanda’s most decorated drivers, having won the Gorilla Rally twice outright in 2013 and 2018.
Kenya’s trailblazing daughter-and-mother crew of Tinashe and Carol Gatimu retired on the 24.20 km SS13 Kamabuye 2 speed test.