Costa targets E. Africa rounds

Olivier Costa insists that his performances in the region will determine his involvement in the final two rounds of the African Rally Championship. Costa, who now drives a Subaru Impreza N11, told Times Sport that his performances in Kenya’s KCB Safari Rally and Uganda’s KCB Pearl of Africa rally will determine whether he willcompete in Zambia’s International rally and  Zimbabwe’s challenge rally.

Friday, March 06, 2009
FOCUS ON E.AFRICA: For now, Olivier Costa (L)u2019s focus in on the East African races. (File Photo).

Olivier Costa insists that his performances in the region will determine his involvement in the final two rounds of the African Rally Championship.

Costa, who now drives a Subaru Impreza N11, told Times Sport that his performances in Kenya’s KCB Safari Rally and Uganda’s KCB Pearl of Africa rally will determine whether he willcompete in Zambia’s International rally and  Zimbabwe’s challenge rally.

"Right now, my focus is on the East African races. My performances in these races will determine if I will drive in Zambia and Zimbabwe,” he stated.

Costa made headlines last month when he finished third in the Kobil rally of Tanzania, the opening round of the African Rally Championship. It was by far his best performance on the continental scene and received lots of applauds from his display.

In Tanzania, Costa entered the rally as one of the low profile drivers but set the event alight after beating more prominent drivers like Lola Verlaque and Randeep Birdi to the podium slot.

Last year’s ARC runner-up Jamie Whyte from Zimbabwe beat Uganda’s Emma Katto by 35 seconds to win his first ARC race this year. South Africa’s Verlaque and Tanzania’s Randeep Birdi also finished inside the top five.

Meanwhile, two-time ARC champion Muna Singh of Zambia and Rwanda’s national champion Davite Giancarlo now have to play catch up after crushing out in Tanzania.

Singh crushed out on day one while Davite dented his hopes on the final day after damaging his Subaru suspension.

Whyte leads the ARC charts with 10 points while Katto and Costa follow closely in second and third spots with eight and six points respectively.

Ends