Provisional results:
1. C. Attwell / G. Stead Subaru 2:26:15
2. O. Costa / J. Ruhashyankiko Subaru 2:33:19
3. J. Whyte / P. Archenoul Subaru 2:33:46
4. M. Singh / D. Sihoka Subaru 2:36:25
5. E. Katto / M. Matovu Subaru 2:37:19
6. M. Essa / D. Milner Subaru 2:38:42
7. S. Whyte / Ga. Dave Subaru 2:42:15
8. M. Fortman / M. Skinner Subaru 3:08:43

James Whyte and Phil Archenoul won the 2009 FIA African Rally Championship with their safe 3rd place overall in the last round the Toyota Zimbabwe Challenge Rally over the weekend.

Overall winner of the three-day rally was the 19-year-old Chase Attwell and co-driver Greg Stead also from Zimbabwe in their Subaru Impreza.

Rwanda’s Olivier Costa finished the season in a respectable fourth overall position. Uganda’s speed merchant Emma Katto finished second while Zambia’s Muna Singh was third.

On his first attempt at the Zimbabwe challenge rally, Costa and co-driver Jean Ruhashyankiko came against experienced drivers and  after three days of racing, and they didn’t disappoint.

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 behind eventual winner Chase Attwell.

Meanwhile, FIA has approved the inclusion of the 2009 Rwanda Mountain Gorilla Rally as a reserve event for the 2009 ARC calendar and the date has been set for September 17-19.

Ends