Giancarlo Davite eyes KCB Safari Rally

Rwanda national rally champion Giancarlo Davite is eager to make amends and regain top spot in the FIA-Africa Rally Championship when he competes in the 61st edition of the Kenya Commercial Bank Safari Rally scheduled for July 5-7 in Kenya.

Saturday, June 29, 2013
Davite Giancarlo is ranked second overall in the African Rally Championship standings with 35 points. Saturday Sport / File.

Rwanda national rally champion Giancarlo Davite is eager to make amends and regain top spot in the FIA-Africa Rally Championship when he competes in the 61st edition of the Kenya Commercial Bank Safari Rally scheduled for July 5-7 in Kenya.Davite dropped to third position on the current ARC standings after crashing out of the Tanzania Puma rally last month. He is on 33 points, 15 points behind the leader Jassy Singh from Zambia and seven behind Ugandan Jas Mangat in second place.Speaking to Saturday Sport yesterday, the Italy-born rally ace said he is confident of regaining top spot after the Safari rally, "We have to get into the title race by doing well in the Kenya Safari rally. I hope I’ll not have excuse this time round.”Davite, who has finished second in the last two seasons in the ARC race, added, "We have worked on the car because Kenya has a rough terrain and very competitive sections.”"So my ‘Miss Evo’ (as he likes to call his race car) has to be in top condition, although accidents can be unavoidable sometimes, but we will try to be careful,” he stated.Davite is among 69 drivers, who have confirmed participation in the toughest round on the ARC calendar.The event that will act as the fifth round of the FIA African Rally Championship and it will also count towards the fifth round of the 2013 Kenya National Rally Championship.KNRC and Safari Rally Champion, Carl Tundo will be looking to emulate legendary Shekhar Mehta’s five victories the highest ever recorded by any driver. Compared to Mehtar, who had his victories’ contribute to the FIA World Rally Championships, Tundo’s wins came in the current FIA African Rally Championship status.After the Kenya Safari rally, roads will lead to Pear of Africa in Uganda in August. The Mountain Gorilla Rwanda Rally is scheduled for September and the championship will wind up with the Rally of Madagascar in November.