As global rally stars prepare for the Kenyan leg of the Safari Rally Kenya, African drivers are also gearing up for the opening round of the Africa Rally Championship (ARC).

The iconic rally, part of the World Rally Championship (WRC) calendar, marks its sixth consecutive year in the global series and begins this Thursday in Naivasha, Kenya.

Besides the WRC action, the event will simultaneously launch the 2026 ARC season.

More than 20 crews are registered across the ARC, ARC2 and ARC3 categories, promising a competitive African contest alongside the world championship field.

Among the headline contenders in the premier ARC class are Kenyan stars Karan Patel and Carl Tundo, both former continental champions.

They will face stiff competition from defending ARC champion Yasin Nasser of Uganda.

Other drivers expected to challenge for top honours in the topflight category include Samman Vohra, Jasmeet Chana, Hamza Anwar, and Jeremiah Wahome.

In ARC2, the championship battle will be a straight duel between Nikhil Sachania and Naveen Pulligila, who are the only entrants in the category.

The ARC3 class will showcase fresh talent, with several rookies making their Safari Rally debut.

Rwanda’s Queen Kalimpinya joins fellow newcomers Jean Claude Gakwaya and Uganda’s Oscar Ntambi in their first appearance at the demanding rally.

Action gets underway Thursday morning with the WRC shakedown, before the rally officially launches later in the evening with the opening stage in Naivasha.

Weather could play a decisive role this year, as persistent rains across Kenya’s Rift Valley point to a potentially wet and challenging Safari Rally.