Rwanda driver Claude Kwizera faces a tough challenge as he tries to overtake rival Valerie Bukera’s 13 point lead in the Rallye des Mille Collines which starts this afternoon with the super stage at Gahanga quarry.

Kwizera who will be navigated by Phillir Vanderhaert in a Subaru Impreza N12 has 100 points on the National Rally Championship (NRC) standings while table leader Bukera has 113 points.

With the winner getting 25 points, second (18), third (15), fourth (10) and fifth (8), the national title will be Kwizera’s only if he wins the race and Bukera does not get a podium finish. Drivers also get five bonus points if they finish the race.

Navigated by Khetia Nital, Bukera who is from Burundi missed the Rallye Sprint in February but won the Mt Gorilla rally, Huye Rally Memorial Gakwaya as well as the Rallye du Burundi on the NRC calendar. He finished second at the Rallye de l’Est Memorial Jean Pierre.

On the other hand, Kwizera won the Rallye de l’Est Memorial Jean Pierre, finished second at the Rallye Sprint and Huye Rally Memorial Gakwaya and was third at the Rallye du Burundi. He was unable to finish the Mt Gorilla rally after suffering a mechanical breakdown.

"I will concentrate on driving and try to do my best to win. With rallying you can never predict what happens but I hope that at the end of the day, I am the national champion,” an optimistic Kwizera said yesterday.

The 43-year-old who is in title contention for the first time in his nine-year rally career admitted that his expectations are high, but he will use the anxiety to motivate him.

Reigning national champion Davite Giancarlo (52 points) will also be in action as well as other Rwandan drivers including third placed Claude Gakwaya/Claude Mugabo (76 points) and Elefterios Mitraros/Paolo Paganin (20 points).