In a remarkable achievement for Indian motorsport, Hyderabad-based rally driver Naveen Puligilla and co-driver Musa Sherif clinched a podium finish in the WRC3 category at the Safari Rally Kenya 2026, part of the FIA World Rally Championship. The duo secured third place in the WRC3 class and second place in the African ARC3 category, ranking 24th overall with a total time of 5 hours, 22 minutes, and 17.9 seconds.
Known for its challenging conditions like rocky terrain and unpredictable weather, the Safari Rally tested participants with various obstacles, including the notorious fesh-fesh dust. Despite these challenges, Puligilla and Sherif displayed resilience and consistency throughout the event. This achievement marks another milestone in Puligilla’s international career, showcasing his ability to deliver consistent results at the highest level of global rallying.
Puligilla, the reigning INRC 3T Indian champion for 2025, drove a Fiesta Rally3 prepared by Africa Eco Sports during the rally, covering 338.34 competitive kilometers across 20 special stages. Reflecting on the success, Puligilla emphasized the significance of standing on the WRC3 podium at the Safari Rally, highlighting the rally’s demands for survival, discipline, and teamwork. He expressed pride in representing India and Hyderabad on this prestigious platform, attributing the result to the collective team effort.
Co-driver Sherif emphasized the importance of precision and experience in navigating the rally’s unpredictable elements, including changing weather conditions.
