IN a bid to defend his KCB East African Rally Challenge title, Davite Giancarlo has wasted no time in confirming his availability for the opening round of the 2010 series; the KCB Safari rally scheduled for April 2-4 in Kenya.

After consistent results in Kenya and Uganda’s KCB Pearl of Africa rally, the Italian-born claimed the KCB Mountain Gorilla rally to put the icing on the cake.

This year, the speedster, who intends to stick with his experienced navigator Sylvia Vindevogel and Subaru N11, said that he was targeting to match or better his Kobil Tanzania Rally display where he finished 2nd to 2009 ARC champion Jamie Whyte.

"I have one thing on my mind; to match or improve on my show in Tanzania. It will not be easy but I’m ready to fight,” he said.

Rwanda’s Olivier Costa, Fitidis Christakis and Elefter Mitraros have also registered for the Kenyan rally, which also doubles as the second round on this year’s FIA African Rally Championship calendar.

Assistant Clerk of the Course, Ashok Bhalla recently told the Kenya Media that they expect about 75 entries; 45 in the main event, 15 in the supplementary class and another15 from Kenya’s national formula two championship.

Carl Tundo, the defending champion and one of the only two drivers to have won the Safari Rally twice since KCB took over as the main sponsors, will spearhead the local charge in his Mitsubishi Lancer.

Former winners Azar Anwar (2006) and Lee Rose (2008) are also in contention.

After years racing in the shadow of Rudy Cantanhede, Davite came of age in 2008 when he won his maiden national rally championship. Last year, the cool-headed driver defended the crown.

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