India, March 19 -- Hyderabad-based rally driver Naveen Puligilla, along with seasoned co-driver Musa Sherif, secured a podium finish in the WRC3 category at the Safari Rally Kenya 2026, the third round of the FIA World Rally Championship in Naivasha.

Competing in one of the toughest rallies in the world, the Indian duo finished third in the WRC3 class, and second in the African ARC3 class.

They clocked a total time of 5 hours, 22 minutes, 17.9 seconds to be placed 24th overall in the common field where higher-class cars also competed. Their effort came against extreme conditions, including punishing rocky terrain, deep ruts, and unpredictable weather that tested both machine and driver to the limit.

Building on his earlier WRC3 class p...