Samman Vohra Dominates Day 1 at Mkwawa Rally Tanzania 2025

By Mwambazi Lawrence –

Kenya’s Samman Vohra, co-driven by Drew Sturrock in a Škoda Fabia Evo, has emerged as the standout performer on Day 1 of the Mkwawa Rally of Tanzania, the fifth and final round of the African Rally Championship (ARC).

Kenya’s Samman Vohra Pushes his Skoda in one of the stages (Photo By Johnson Were)

Vohra put on a masterclass performance, claiming victory in four of the six stages completed today, while keeping clear of trouble. With an overall time of 1:03:27.7, he has signaled his intent to clinch this year’s championship, defying expectations that fellow Kenyan Karan Patel might outpace him on Tanzanian soil.

Patel, partnered with Tauseef Khan, sits in second place with a stage win and a total time of 1:03:40.7, just 12.9 seconds behind Vohra. Like Vohra, Patel has enjoyed a clean run, keeping his podium hopes alive as the rally progresses.

Yasin Nasser lies in 4th with just 3 stages to conclude (Photo By Johnson were)

Home favourite Ahmed Huwel, co-driven by Vili Oslaj in a Toyota GR Yaris, are in third position. Despite this being only his second time driving the car since acquisition, Huwel impressed the Tanzanian crowd with consistently strong pace.

Ugandan rally star Yasin Nasser, alongside co-driver Ali Katumba in a Ford Fiesta R5, currently lie in fourth place with a time of 1:08:16.7. The duo, who led the ARC standings entering this event, suffered a stall in the opening stage, costing them valuable seconds. With three stages remaining, Nasser will need to push hard if he is to leave a mark in the championship history.

Rounding out the top six are Burundi’s Roshanali Mohammed/Christophe Bigirimana in a Subaru Impreza GVB (1:13:44.1) and Tanzania’s Prince Charles Nyerere/Charles Nyerere in a Mitsubishi Evo X (1:16:41.1).

Home boy Ahmed Huwel leads the National class in his Toyota GR Yaris ( Photo By Johnson Were)

In the NRC category, Ahmed Huwel continues to lead comfortably with a cushion of 1:41.1 over Randeep Singh Sunny/Manmeet Birdi in a Mitsubishi Evo 9. Manveer Birdi/Kenya’s Ravi Chana complete the podium with 1:08:56.6, followed by Gurpal Sandhu in fourth and Samir Nahdi in fifth.

Meanwhile Day 2 promises an even tougher challenge, crews will tackle 132.48 km, including 60.53 km of competitive stages across three tests. The highlight is the 11.91 km Kilimanjaro stage, designated as the power stage offering crucial bonus points. The remaining 71.95 km will be liaison sections, testing reliability and strategy.

As the final round of the ARC heats up, rally fans are in for a thrilling showdown. Will Vohra maintain his lead, or can Nasser stage a comeback on Tanzanian turf? Stay tuned for what promises to be an electrifying Day 2.