THE 2014 National Rally Championship will kick off on February 15, according to Rwanda Automobile Club (RAC).

RAC boss Christian Gakwaya said the opening round of the Sprint de Rugende (Rwamagana) will be held on February 15, marking the beginning of a seven-round national rally competition.

The Sprint de Rugende will see drivers completing 120km from Gahengeri, Nzige, Mayumbu and Rugende.

Ten drivers are expected to spice up the event, namely defending champion Davite Giancarlo, Claude Kwizera, Johhny Murengezi, Burundian Abbas Mohammed, Mayaka Felekeni, Claude Gakwaya, Janvier Mutuga, Ange Cyatangabo, Serge Sakumi and Semana Genese.

The second round, Rallye de l’Est, is due on March 22. The Rallye de Huye ‘Memorial Gakwaya’ will be held between June 7 and 8, while Rwanda Mountain Gorilla Rally is slated for July 18-20.

Rally Sprint, due on September 1, and Rallye du Nord, on October 18, are the fifth and sixth rounds in the championship, while Rallye des 1000 Collines will wind up the busy schedule.

Last year, Giancarlo continued his dominance of the national rally championship after winning the National Rally Championship with 138 points on the back of wins in Sprint rally, Mt. Gorilla rally and Rally de Huye. 

But Giancarlo lost his ARC title to Zambian crew of Jassy Singh and Dave Sihoka. Ugandan Jas Mangat finished second.