Rallye du Huye 2009
Final results
1. V. Bukera       2:40:39
2. J. Murengezi  3:02:50
3. E. Mitraros     3:02:55
4. D. Giancarlo  4:08:13
5. C. Fitidis     4:59:07 –dropped out
6. O. Costa         6:49:31 –dropped out

VALERY Bukera comfortably defended his Rallye du Huye title after a splendid sprint on the final day (Sunday).

The Burundian driver, who was navigated by Khetia Nital in a Subaru Impreza N10 raced home in 2 hours, 40minutes and 39 seconds; a whole 22 minutes and 11 seconds ahead of Johnny Murengezi, who finished second after a hefty penalty on Davite Giancarlo.

The national champion, chasing for a strong start to his title defense campaign, was penalized in excess of an hour after straying from the rally route.

"He could have finished second but he was penalized for straying from the original route,” Rwanda Automobile Club (RAC) president Dismas Kayibanda said.

2004 national champion Elefter Mitraros secured the final podium finish after clocking 3 hours, two minutes and 55 seconds. Giancarlo settled in fourth place with 4 hours, eight minutes and 13 seconds.

Christakis Fitidis and Olivier Costa dropped out on Day one after mechanical damage to their machines. Fitidis was driving a Mitsubishi while Costa was flying his Subaru Impreza N11 series.

Ends