Teenage sensation Amaan Ganatra and GPE sales manager Suhhel Yakub/ HANDOUTAfter making a dream start to his career in the Kenya National Rally Championship (KNRC) over the weekend, teenage sensation Amaan Ganatra believes his breakthrough victory is only the beginning, insisting there is much more to come from him behind the wheel.
Competing under the Ganatra Racing Team alongside navigator Mudasar Chaudry in a Mitsubishi Evo 9, the 17-year-old stamped his authority on the season opener by storming to victory in Round One of the 2026 KNRC.
He clocked a cumulative time of 1:52:03.1 and secured maximum championship points by winning the crucial Power Stage.
Mombasa’s Javed Lota, navigated by Komaine Yakub, finished second overall in a Subaru N10 with a cumulative time of 1:57:07.7. Rajveer Thethy and James Mwangi completed the podium after timing 1:58:55.6 in a Subaru N12.
“It’s a big relief,” said Ganatra. “The whole team put in a lot of work. To bring back such a good result in my first KNRC event at such a young age is a major achievement.”
The youngster revealed that once he took the lead following the opening loop, his strategy shifted from an all-out attack to managing the rally and protecting the car.
“After the first loop, the plan was just to keep it clean because we were leading,” he explained. “We started setting the pace knowing someone behind us might slip up. The aim was simply to bring the car home cleanly, no matter the result.”
Despite his commanding win, Ganatra admitted the battle at the front was fierce, with Neel Gohil pushing him hard in the early stages.
“The battle between Neel and myself was really close,” he noted. “After one 27km stage, we were separated by just two seconds, so it was a massive push.”
Gohil, driving a Mitsubishi Evo 10, retired due to electrical problems.
“Hopefully, we will be able to do the next KNRC round and also compete in the remaining Autocross events,” said Ganatra.
Clerk of the Course, Pipi Renu, said Round Two of the KNRC will return to the fast, technical and demanding Stoni Athi terrain on the weekend of September 19–20.
Meanwhile, Lota’s impressive drive to second place was not without drama, as the Mombasa driver incurred a five-minute penalty for missing a junction.
“We almost got first position, but we received a penalty for missing a junction,” Lota said. “No worries, though — we managed to claw back a lot of time over the remaining stages.”
“It was a new challenge, new terrain and a completely new event,” he added. “I’m really thankful to the Motorsport Kenya Federation for reviving the KNRC. It was our debut in the championship and we came away with second place.”
