•Costa finish 2nd overall, does Rwanda proud

The youngest driver at the ARC has won the Zimbabwe challenge rally. Chase Atwell and his co-driver Greg stead took the lead on day one at Donnybrook and maintained it through the rally.

Chase’s Subaru N4 looked battered at the end of the race but managed to pull him through to the end of the rally
Chase, who is one of the top contenders for the Pirelli sponsored stars of Africa, is now looking at Rwanda where he will take part in a shootout that could see him take part in the world rally championships next year.

Rwanda’s Olivier Costa came second while Jamie Whyte was third, which gave him the 2009 Africa Rally championship title, and was referred to as the best driver in Africa by his co-driver Phillip Archenoul.

Muna Singh from Zimbabwe posted the best time on the last super special stage in Harare, but that was only good enough for fourth place.

Emma Katto who says he came to the rally for the experience and did not recce came fifth in his Subaru Impreza.

On his first attempt at the Zimbabwe challenge rally, Costa and co-driver JF Ruhashyankiko came against experienced drivers and three days of racing.

Costa whose rally started on a low note finishing 11th at the Donnybrook circuit on day 1, came up stronger on day 2 at the Ruwa country club finishing fourth 8 seconds behind third placed Lola Verlaque.

Going into day 3, the Rwandan driver was determined to make up the seconds at the Norton country club, the unfortunate retirement of Lorla Verlaque and Craig Green put Olivier on track to finish second.

Ends