National rally champion Rudy Cantanhede in his Subaru Impreza is seeded first in the14th edition of the Rally du Nord which will be flagged off today in Byumba, Northern Province.

Cantanhede will be flagged first ahead of Christus Fitidis (Mitsubishi Evo), Giancarlo Davite (Subaru), Elefter Mitraros (VW Golf), Claude Kwizera (Peugot), Paganin Paolo (Peugot) and Mark Verden (Subaru).

Others drivers who will take part in the two-day event were still going through the registration process by press time.

The Belgian born driver navigated by his young brother Bruno Cantanhede returns back in the local scene after missing the sprint memorial rally last month which was won by Fitidis.

The defending national champion missed the sprint rally due to his participation in the opening rally of the Africa Rally Championship staged in Tanzania where he finished ninth.

The Byumba rally will see one driver, Mark Verden in a Subaru Impreza making his debut in the national championship. The Belgian born driver is being tipped to give Cantanhede good run for his money.

Rally du Nord is the second rally on the Rwanda Automobile Club (RAC) calendar and participants will battle for national points.

According to the RAC president Dismus Kayibanda, drivers will be using this rally to prepare for the Pearl of Africa Uganda Rally scheduled for April 25-27.

Rally du Nord is being sponsorship by Akagera Motors, Sona Fruits, Volcano Express and East Africa cargo among others.

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