The 2007 national rally championship hits a climax this weekend with the highly coveted Des Mille Collines rally.

Racing into its 25th edition, the rally stands out as the oldest rally on the national rally championship calendar.

And covering a distance of approximately 350km, the Des 1000 Collines rally is only second to Rwanda’s most celebrated rally; the mountain Gorilla rally, which is also part of the African Rally Championship calendar.

Contrary to previous seasons where rally sprints have been crowning the local season, things have changed for the current season, which would be capped by a much longer event in Des 1000 Collines.

Despite crushing his Subaru Impreza at last year’s edition, Rudy Cantanhede stands out as the top contender at the two-day event which unfolds this Saturday.

After missing the opening campaign of the championship, the defending national rally champion has been on top of things after claiming the last four events in the championship to stay on course for what could be a routine national championship title.

After finishing top in the Rwanda Mountain Gorilla rally, Rallye du Nord, Rallye de L’est and Rallye de Huye, the Belgian-born driver has amassed 275 points; 74points clear of his closest challenger Tony Seagerman who has 201 points.

Ends