Indian duo Puligilla, Musa Sherif secure WRC3 podium at Safari Rally Kenya

New Delhi— In a notable achievement for Indian motorsport, Hyderabad-based driver Naveen Puligilla and his experienced co-driver Musa Sherif clinched a podium finish in the WRC3 category at the Safari Rally Kenya 2026, the third round of the FIA World Rally Championship.

Competing in one of the toughest rallies in the world, the Indian pair finished third in WRC3 and also secured second place in the African ARC3 category. In the overall standings, which featured higher-class cars, they placed 24th with a total time of 5 hours, 22 minutes, and 17.9 seconds.

Known for its extreme conditions, the Safari Rally challenged participants with rocky terrain, deep ruts, unpredictable weather, and the infamous fesh-fesh dust. Despite these hurdles, Puligilla and Sherif displayed remarkable consistency and resilience throughout the event.

This result marks another milestone in Puligilla’s growing international career. After his earlier WRC3 podium at Rally Saudi Arabia in 2025, his latest performance highlights his ability to deliver consistently at the global level. His run in Kenya reflected not just speed, but also strategy and endurance.

Driving a Fiesta Rally3 prepared by Africa Eco Sports, Puligilla — the reigning INRC 3T Indian champion for 2025 — maintained composure across 20 special stages covering 338.34 competitive kilometres.

Sharing his thoughts, Puligilla said the podium finish at Safari Rally was “incredibly special,” noting that the rally demands discipline, teamwork, and survival as much as speed. Sherif added that precision and experience played a crucial role in navigating the constantly changing and challenging conditions.

With inputs from IANS