Despite the withdrawal of White and Rautenbach

2009 KCB Mountain Gorilla Rally winner Davite Giancarlo still expects a close race despite the absence of reigning African champion Jamie Whyte and his Zimbabwean counterpart Conrad Rautenbach.

The pair pulled out due to personal reasons but Giancarlo, who finished second last year, insists that the likes of Jas Mangat (Kenya), national champion Fitidis Christakis (Rwanda) and Burundi’s Valery Bukera are good enough to win the rally.

"Of course the absence of Whyte and Conrad takes away something from the race but I still expect it to be close at the end of three days,” Giancarlo, who will be driving a Subaru Impreza N11, said, adding that the rains and the slippery roads would make it very challenging.

"Fitidis, Bukera and Mangat are all capable of winning it,” he continued.

20 drivers will take part in the 773km race that includes both competitive and transport sections.

Besides counting as a round on the national championship calendar, the race also counts as a round on the KCB East African Rally Challenge as well as FIA African Rally Championship.

Besides title sponsors Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB), the rally has drawn more sponsors in Tigo, Umubano hotel, Private Sector Federation and Rwanda motors.Action rolls off this afternoon with a super special stage at Gahanga quarry.

Ends