Local drivers will this afternoon assemble their wheels for a four-hour scrutineering exercise ahead of the revamped Irushanwa-Des 1000 Collines rally which rolls off tomorrow. The exercise will be conducted by Yannick Dewalque, the chief scrutineer at Rwanda Motors, Gikondo from 2pm-6pm.

Foreign drivers will have their scrutineering exercise Friday morning (8am-10pm) at the same venue. Meanwhile, fresh reports indicate that Kenyan drivers have pulled out of the three-day race for unclear reasons.

Carl Thundo (former Kenyan champion), Alfir Khan and Azhar Anwar had all expressed interest in the race but according to the rally coordinator Olivier Costa, they have all withdrawn from the race.

"It is now confirmed that we shall not have Kenyans in the race. Kurji Riyaz (Uganda)’s chances are also very slim,” Costa told Times Sport yesterday.

Irushanwa - Rallye des 1000 Collines, the seventh and final event on the national championship calendar has also received a new face lift. The race has adopted a new racing formula where drivers will race in teams.

"The main sponsors will be allocated a team of three cars. After every stage, team scores will be tallied and the team with most points at the end of the day will lift the trophy,” Costa added.

Last year, Rudy Cantanhede, driving a Subaru Impreza won the rally.

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