Davite Giancarlo expects an even tougher challenge in the three-day KCB Safari rally which dusts off this Friday. The national rally champion is one of 47 drivers chasing for a podium finish in the rally, which also doubles as the second round on the 2009 FIA African Rally Championship (ARC).

Speaking to Times Sport shortly before his departure on Monday, Giancarlo said that he was worried about the dry conditions in Kenya.

"Because of the dry conditions, there are large chunks of dust on the roads so it is going to be very difficult especially if one is playing catch up,” he noted.

Giancarlo is desperate to get his ARC run back on track after crushing out in the Kobil Rally of Tanzania; the first round on the ARC charts. The drivers start their quest tomorrow afternoon with a Super Special stage at Uhuru Park in Nairobi city.

On Saturday, the drivers head to Elemantaita Lodge around Naivasha town covering a total 177.44km in competitive sections before winding up on Sunday with a further 117.69km on Mombassa road around Athi River.

The rally is expected to cover a total distance of 700 km of which 300 km will be competitive sections.

Rwanda’s other contender Olivier Costa, who finished third, behind James Whyte and Uganda’s Emma Katto during the Kobil Rally of Tanzania, is also hoping for better luck in Kenya.

Costa will be navigated by Paolo Paganin in a Subaru Impreza N11.

Some of the top contenders in the three-day event include last year’s winner Lee Rose, 2008 ARC runners up Jamie Whyte from Zimbabwe, two-time African champion Muna Singh, London-based John Lloyd, Uganda’s Emma Katto among others.

Till date, the KCB Safari rally is considered to be one of the world’s toughest rallies.

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