Giancarlo Davite moved top of the National Rally Championship standings after winning the 2013 Gakwaya Memorial Challenge held over the weekend in Huye District, Southern Province.

The reigning national champion, who rested his Mistubishi Evo X, powered his Subaru Impreza N11 ‘Umuletti’ to victory in Huye after clocking 1hr12’25”.

Claude Kwizera in a Subaru N11 finished second after clocking one hour, 17 minutes and 32 seconds, while Elefter Mitratros was third in a Subaru N11 after clocking one hour, 24 minutes and 20 seconds.

It was his third successive win of the Huye rally and his first win of the season after crashing out of the opening round, the Sprint rally but still secured two points in February and finished second in the Eastern Rally held in March, which was won by Olivier Costa.

This was a good preparation for the Italy-born rally ace, who leads the Africa Rally Championship standings heading into the Tanzanian Rally for the next round on the ARC calendar in two weeks’ time.

"This was a fantastic win for me. Winning it three times in a row and finally return the Gakwaya Challenge at home, this is one of my finest performances. I am so glad and proud,” he told Times Sport.

He added, "I want to thank organisers, controllers, fans, Sisi my co-driver and especially Amil and Tonic and last but not least, the good, old but still honorable ‘Umuleti’. What a fantastic machine-despite its age, it still goes fast when pushed.”

"See you in two weeks in Tanzania for the fourth round of the African Rally Championship and my 100th rally,” added a jovial Davite.

Davite now leads the national championship with 50 points and Burundian Abbas Muhamed is second on 35 points after crashing out of the Huye Rally. 

Next on the National Rally Championship calendar is the Sprint rally on September 1 to prepare for Mt. Gorilla Rally which also doubles as the Rwanda leg of the Africa Rally Championship in the same month.