2014 Motorsports Personality of the Year, Nikhil Sachania, has added a new chapter to his rallying career with the acquisition of a brand new Ford Fiesta Rally 3 Car. This comes just four months after a crash during the 2024 WRC Safari Rally left his trusty Mitsubishi Evo X damaged beyond repair.
Sachania, alongside his navigator Deep Patel, received a substantial KShs. 5 million boost from KCB Bank, facilitating the purchase of the high-performance vehicle. The unveiling of the car took place on Friday, marking a significant milestone in their motorsports journey.
“Motorsports is an expensive sport. After the unfortunate accident during the Safari Rally, we made a commitment that we would return to the sport. Acquiring this car would not have been possible without the support of KCB Bank. I am grateful to them and I look forward to racing with the new car. After testing it a few times, the car feels good and more competitive than the Evo X,” Nikhil expressed during the event.
Nkatha Mutungi, Head of Integrated Marketing at KCB, Nikhil Sachania alongside his navigator Deep Patel during the unveiling of the new car
The new Ford Fiesta Rally 3 Car replaces Sachania’s Mitsubishi Evo X, a vehicle that he raced with for seven years. The Evo X had brought him considerable success, including a podium finish in the 2023 WRC Safari Rally, where he placed third in the Kenya National Rally Championship (KNRC) and 19th overall
Nkatha Mutungi, Head of Integrated Marketing at KCB, highlighted the bank’s dedication to supporting talent. “At KCB, we firmly believe in talent. That is why we have invested heavily in sports sponsorships over the years in line with our brand purpose ‘For People. For Better.’, anchored on opening doors of opportunities to anyone, anywhere and anytime. Nikhil is like family to us, which is why we do not wish to see his rallying career cut short. We want to see him on the tracks in various competitions. We have made deliberate efforts to bring this to fruition,” Mutungi stated.
Nikhil Sachania Acquires New Ford Fiesta Rally Car with KCB Sponsorship Boost
Sachania, the only paraplegic driver in Africa, will compete in the Rally 3 category with a custom-built car that has no foot pedals. Instead, the pedals for acceleration and braking are operated by hand. The operation involves a simple push-and-pull mechanism – push for braking and pull for acceleration.
With this new vehicle and the continued support from KCB Bank, Nikhil Sachania is set to make a strong comeback in the rallying scene, showcasing both his resilience and determination.