Rwanda’s national rally champion Davite Giancarlo yesterday confirmed to Times Sport that he would take part in the upcoming Rally of Tanzania, the first round of the 2009 African Rally Championship (ARC).

The rally is scheduled for February 20-22 and he said that he would be heading to Tanzania next week in time for raking.

The Italian born rally ace started pondering about competing in the ARC after lifting his maiden national championship title last year.

"If I get enough sponsorship, my next move is to compete in the ARC. It is a big championship and any driver longs to give it a try some day” he said.

After several failed attempts, Giancarlo finally ended his national title jinx by winning last year’s championship after beating off competition from Tony Saegerman and Olivier Costa.

It was a commendable effort from the Italian who spent seven years as a bridesmaid (in the shadows) of Rudy Cantanhede (2007 & 2006), Elefter Mitraros (2005) and Tony Saegerman (2004) among others.

He also hinted that Olivier Costa, who finished third, last year was also likely to compete in Tanzania, however, efforts to get a comment from him (Costa) proved fruitless as his telephone could not go through. 

The African Rally Championship (ARC) first held in 1981 is an internationally recognized automobile event organized by the FIA, the world motorsport governing body.

Japanese Hideaki Miyoshi is the reigning champion.

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