Davite Giancarlo and navigator Slyvia Slyvia Vindevogel celebrating last year’s victory of the Ugand Pearl Rally, stand favourites to win this year’s edition of Rwanda Mountain Gorilla over the weekend
Twenty-two cars have been confirmed to take part in the seventh leg of the Africa Rally Championship leg-Rwanda Mountain Gorilla rally which is scheduled to take place in Rwanda from October 5-6, 2018.
According to Rwanda Automobile Club (RAC) Chairman Gakwaya Christian, everything is well set and Rwanda is looking forward to host a successful event.
“We have 22 cars registered to take part in the event. We have done internal preparations and we are looking forward to a successful event,”
“It’s more of a done affair regarding the overall quest for the Africa rally championship. Kenyan driver Baryan Manvir is already assured of clinching the title considering his previous performances in the just concluded legs of the African rally championship,” added Gakwaya.
Among drivers expected, Manvir is not among the participants for this weekend’s edition. Kenya’s Manvir Baryan and Drew Sturrock from Scotland claimed a second successive Africa Rally Championship after their victory in Tanzania held in September.
Despite the African crown already decided, this weekend’s edition has attracted top drivers and its projected to be an exciting event not only to the local drivers who will be gunning to increase their points tally on the national championship standings but to even other regional drivers who are eager to snatch victory from their Rwandan counterparts.
Key drivers confirmed for the event include; former champion Giancarlo Davite who will be navigated by Slyvia Vindevogel in a Mitsubishi Lancer Evo10 and Burundian Rudy Cantanhede navigated by Nital Khetia in a Subaru Impreza N11.
Others are Ugandan drivers namely Negomba Sadat navigated by Ali Abdallah Zubedah,Watendwa Samuel navigated by Bunya Stephen, Balondemu Gilberto navigated by Waiswa Ibrahim, Kabega Musa navigated by Sirwomu Rogers, Rutuku Mike navigated by Gasarabwe Alain, Mungyereza Edson navigated by Kyambadde Sirajih, Kakyama Umar navigated by Mutanda Alfred and Kateete Abdul who will be navigated by Rahma Muhamed.
The local quest for honours will be led by reigning national champion Gakwaya Jean Claude who will be navigated by Mugabo Jean Claude in a Subaru Impreza N11. Others include Mayaka Florent navigated by Abdallah Salim, Mayaka Felekeni Amigo, Mutuga Janvier navigated by Bukuru Hassan and Murenzi Alain navigated by Karibu Faustin.
The rally will be flagged off at Kigali Convention Center to Tuuza Inn in Nyamata, Bugesera District. In Nyamata they will spend the whole day covering a total distance of 178.64km where they will hold two sprint sections from Gashyushya to Mwogo and later in the afternoon hold another two sprint sections from Mwogo to Nyamata.
On Saturday, drivers will cover 281.02km from Muhanda-Ruli-Muhondo then to Nyange and Shyorongi respectively.
Last year’s edition was lifted by Baryan Manvir beating Rwanda’s Bukera Valery and Khetia Nital from Burundi.
After six rounds of the 2018 Africa Rally Championship, Kenya’s Manvir leads the standings with 100 points, followed in second spot by another Kenyan Piero Cannobio with 44 points while Uganda’s Jas Mangat is placed third with 33 points.
Rwanda Mountain Gorilla Entry List:
1. Giancarlo Davite/Slyvia Vindevogel (Belgium/Burundi) – Mitsubishi Lancer Evo10
2. Gakwaya Jean Claude/Mugabo Jean Claude (Rwanda)- Subaru Impreza N11
3. Rudy Cantanhede/Nital Khetia (Burundi)- Mitsubishi Lancer Evo9
4. Jean Jean Gisen/Yannick Dewalque (Rwanda)- Toyota Celica
5. Remezo Christian/Gahuragiza Jean Marie (Burundi)- Toyota Celica
6. Din Imtiaz/Bigirimana Christophe (Burundi)- Toyota Avensis
7. Fergadiotis Gakuba Tassos/Mujiji Kevin (Rwanda)- Toyota Corolla
8. Kayitankore Lionel/Remera Regis (Rwanda)- Toyota Celica
9. Gakwaya Eric/Tuyishime Regis (Rwanda) – Subaru Impreza GC8
10.Negomba Sadat/Ali Abdallah Zubedah (Uganda)- Toyota Runx
11. Watendwa Samuel/Bunya Stephen (Uganda) – Toyota Corolla
12. Balondemu Gilberto/Waiswa Ibrahim (Uganda) – Toyota Corolla
13. Kabega Musa/Sirwomu Rogers (Uganda) – Mitsubishi Lancer Evo9
14. Rutuku Mike/Gasarabwe Alain (Rwanda) – Subaru Impreza GC8
15. Mungyereza Edson/Kyambadde Sirajih (Uganda) – Subaru Impreza
16. Kateete Abdul/Rahma Muhamed (Uganda)- Subaru Impreza N10
17. Iragarukira Florent/Irishura Faith Stecy (Burundi) – Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 4
18. Mayaka Florent/Abdallah Salim (Rwanda) – Peugeot 205
19. Mayaka Felekeni Amigo (Rwanda) – Peugeot 205
20. Mutuga Janvier/Bukuru Hassan (Rwanda) – Subaru Impreza GC8
21. Kakyama Umar/Mutanda Alfred (Uganda) – Ford Fiesta
22. Murenzi Alain/Karibu Faustin (Rwanda)- Toyota Curene
