Rwanda Automobile Club (RAC) has begun early preparations for this year’s Rwanda Mountain Gorilla Rally Championship scheduled for August 12-14 at Gako, in Nyamata, Bugesera District.

The race, which is the fifth on the FIA African International Rally Championship calendar, will follow the ARC Oryx Energies Rally of Tanzania, which takes place from July 8-10.

RAC spokesperson, Francois Cyatangabo, says they have finalised the route schedule for the race in which drivers will cover a total distance of 300km, including the super sections.

Cyatangabo said: "The technical team has completed mapping the routes where the drivers will be racing at Gako Forest in Nyamata. We have started early because we want to organise a spectacular event that will entertain the fans.”

"The reason why the race was shifted to Gako is because the routes have a threshold on safety and the concept of running the event in closed roads as required by the International Automobile Federation (FIA) rules and regulations. Work has also begun to attract sponsors as early as possible,” he explained.

With the engines expected to roar in Gako, Cyatangabo says RAC has decided to make the event more charming by bringing the Super Circuit opening event to Amahoro Stadium instead of the usual venue at Gahanga.

"We are planning to have the stage at Amahoro National Stadium, but we are yet to get permission from the Ministry of Sports and Culture,” he added.

The event is expected to attract a good number of drivers from countries like Zambia, Uganda, Burundi, Kenya and Ivory Coast among others.

Last year, Rwanda Mountain Gorilla Rally was won by Kenyan Singh Chatthe Jaspreet in a Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X. Mitraros Elefter with his Paganin Paolo, in 7th place, was the only Rwandan driver to finish in the top ten.  

Battle for ARC title

Meanwhile, with the FIA/African Rally Championship heading to the fourth round in Tanzania next month, the event has attracted ARC contenders and crews.

Uganda National Championship leader Jas Mangat, and former Rwandan rally champion Christakis Fitidis are among the drivers expected to feature in the rally of Tanzania. Fitidis, who drives on the Rwandan license, is currently fifth on the NRC standing with 90 points in Uganda.

However, the big battle in Tanzania is expected to be between Kenyan Don Smith, Muna Singh Jnr (Zambia), Ivorian ARC Gary Chaynes and Ismail Shermohammed (Zambia).

The Singh brothers; Jassy Singh and Muna Singh dominated the third round of the 2016 Africa Rally Championship last month in Zambia.

Jassy, aged 23, covered the 195.28km competitive distance in 2 hours, 14 minutes, 50seconds to scoop the win; 11 seconds ahead of young brother, Muna.

Muna closed the gap on ARC leader Don Smith after finishing first in the ARC category despite his overall second place. The 21-year-old scooped a maximum of 25 points to reduce the gap to four points behind Smith.

Kenya’s Don Smith finished in ninth position overall with 16 minutes, 5 seconds behind rally winner to maintain his ARC lead with 54 points.

Chayness has already won the first and second ARC FIA African Rally Championship event: Bandama Rally (CIV) and ‘Sasol Rally’ (SA) in February and April respectively.

After the Rwanda Mountain Gorilla Rally, all roads will lead to Pearl of Africa Uganda Rally in September this year before closing with the Madagascar International Rally in November.

ARC Standing

1. Don Smith/Bob Kaugi 54 points2. Muna Singh/Jasmeen Singh 50pts3. Gary Chaynes/David Israel 25pts4. Ismail Ibrahim 15pts

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