The hills around Bugesera will reverberate with the roaring turbo-charged engines when the Sprint Rally event takes place on Saturday, May 7 in Nyamata District, Eastern Province.

The Sprint rally is part of the first round of the Rwanda-Burundi Rally Championship 2016 series initiated this year, and is organized by the Rwanda Automobile Club (RAC).

According to RAC president Salim Abdulgani, the race, which will have a total of 120 km with 10 competitive stages, is expected to attract both local and Burundian drivers.

"So far five drivers have confirmed their participation in the event, and more are expected to register before the closing date slated for May 5,” Abdulgani told Times Sport.

Meanwhile, former national rally champion Giancarlo Davite and his navigator Sylvia Vindevogel will not take part in the One Sprint Rally. Vindevogel confirmed that they will not race in the event.

However, RAC spokesperson Francois Cyatangabo, said Davite is barred from taking part in any local motorsport race for a year.

The official said the decision to suspend Rwanda’s rally ace, was taken by RAC’s General Assembly in March. 

"Davite committed some mistakes and that is why he was punished by RAC,” Cyatangabo explained, without giving more details.

Bugesera One Sprint Rally is one in a new series of initiatives introduced by Rwanda Automobile Club as part of the long-term plan to attract and promote young and upcoming drivers.

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