Hyderabad rally driver Naveen’s historic show in Kenya

Hyderabad rally driver Naveen Puligilla secured third place in the WRC3 category at Safari Rally Kenya 2026, marking a major milestone in his career, while becoming part of the first all-Indian pair to compete in the championship sub-class.

Hyderabad: In a historic achievement for Indian motorsport, Hyderabad rally driver Naveen Puligilla secured a creditable third place in the WRC3 category at the iconic Safari Rally Kenya 2026, the third round of the FIA World Rally Championship.

This is the third Kenyan rally for Naveen, who, along with Sherif, became the first all-Indian pair in the World Rally Championship sub-class WRC3.

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Competing along with seasoned co-driver Musa Sherif in one of the toughest rallies in the world, he finished third in WRC3 and second in ARC3, clocking a total time of 5 hours, 22 minutes and 17.9 seconds. They were also placed 24th overall in the common field of high-powered premier class cars. Their effort came against extreme conditions, including punishing rocky terrain, deep ruts, unpredictable weather and the powdery African dust that tests both machine and driver alike.

The result marks yet another significant milestone in Naveen’s growing international rally career. Earlier, in November 2025, Naveen finished second in the WRC3 class at last year’s Rally Saudi Arabia. His performance in Kenya underlines not just speed but maturity, endurance and strategic driving, qualities essential to survive and succeed in the Safari Rally.

Driving a Ford Fiesta Rally3 prepared by Africa Eco Sports, Nairobi, Naveen displayed remarkable composure across the 20 special stages spread over 338.34 competitive kilometres. With over three decades of experience, Musa Sherif once again proved to be a valuable co-driver.

Last month, he became National Champion 2025 in the INRC 3T class. The Indian National Rally Championship (INRC) ran over six rounds and concluded at Nashik on March 1.

For Hyderabad, this podium is a moment of pride, placing the city firmly on the global motorsport map. Naveen’s journey from a debut in 2023 in the National Rally Championship at Sanghi Nagar stages in Hyderabad to conquering one of the most demanding rallies in the world serves as an inspiration for aspiring drivers across the country.

Reflecting on the achievement, Naveen Puligilla said: “To stand on the WRC3 podium at Safari Rally is incredibly special. This rally demands respect. It’s not just about speed but survival, discipline and teamwork. Representing India and Hyderabad on this stage makes it even more meaningful.”

“We pushed when it mattered, stayed patient when we had to, and this result is a reward for the entire team’s effort,” he added. Co-driver Musa Sherif added that precision and experience were key to navigating the rally’s unpredictability, even during changing weather conditions.