SaturdaySS1: Rweru-GakoSS2: Nemba-MunaziSS3: Rweru-GakoSS4: Nemba-MunaziSS5: Rweru-GakoSS6: Nemba Munanzi

Nine drivers from Rwanda and Burundi are expected to compete in the Sprint Rally due on Saturday in Nyamata, Bugesera District in Eastern Province.

According to the Rwanda Automobile Club (RAC) secretary-general Ange Francois Cyatangabo, the one-day event, that has six super stages, will have tricky sections like sharp corners and fast-tracks, on roads that will be 70 per cent closed.

It will cover a total distance of 192.9km.

Rwandan crews that confirmed participation include Claude Gakwaya and Claude Mugabo, Janvier Mutunda and Lionel Kayitankore, Genese Semana and Jacques Hakizimana, Adolphe Nshimiyimana and Baptiste Semuhungu, Christophe Nizete and Alain Murenzi as well as Furaha Sekamana and Oscar Nsanzumuhire.

The Burundian drivers include Jean Claude Giesen and Diaz Macari, Christian Remezo and Felix Bahezagire, and Din Imtiaz and Christophe Bigirimana.

The one-day event will start at Excel Station in Nyamata with the first super stage being Rweru-Gako, followed by Nemba-Munazi, then Rweru-Gako, Nemba-Munazi,  Rweru-Gako, while sixth will be Nemba-Munanzi.

Rally fans will have one viewing point in Nemba, four kilometers from the main road and will be able to watch the cars six times. Claude Gakwaya is the pre-race favourite.

"Fans used to create their own viewing points, but for purposes of safety, we have designed a specific zone where fans can converge without accessing the competition routes,” Cyatangabo said.

He added: "We are very keen on safety and are going to step up security presence to ensure an incident-free race.”

Burundian driver Mohamed Abbas Roshanali, navigated by Ali Hassan, won last year’s Sprint Rally. He was followed by the Ugandan crew of Mwananteba Zamin and Maceri Dias.

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