Giancarlo ponders ARC stint

AFTER a successful 2008 season, new national rally champion Davite Giancarlo is pondering a move to the big stage (2009 African Rally Championship). In an interview with Times Sport, the Italian revealed that he is eager to take part in the 2009 African Rally Championship. He said, “If I get enough sponsorship, my next move is to compete in the ARC. It is a big championship and any driver longs to give it a short some day,” he said. The African Rally Championship (ARC) is an internationally recognized automobile event organised by the FIA, the world motorsport governing body. The championship, first held in 1981 was won by Shekhar Mehta. Japanese Hideaki Miyoshi is the reigning champion after beating off a stiff challenge from Zimbabwe’s Jamie Whyte this year. It is however unclear if Rudy Cantanhede, a two-time national champion (2006 &2007) will make a comeback to the ARC cockpit next year. The Belgian who was driving with a Rwandan license quit the stage mid this year after failing to garner enough sponsorship and consequently relocated to his native home (Belgium). However, he returned this month for the Irushanwa-1000 collines rally partly to test his 2003 model Subaru Impreza before selling it off. “I’m here to test the car and show those interested that it’s still a good car,” the soft spoken rally ace said. On top his ARC prospects, Giancarlo shortly after being crowned champion last Sunday expressed his desire to win more domestic titles. The ecstatic and thrilled driver said: “It’s very special. Obviously I’ve had a great year. But when it comes to this time of the year and the season is finished, then it’s nice to pick up an accolade like this to remind me of what a special year it was been.” It was an unprecedented season of success for Giancarlo, peaking last month when he won rallye de l’Est, consequently winning the title. He also said, “I want to thank all my sponsors for all their support.” Out of the seven rounds in the championship, Giancarlo finished six of them. En route the title, Giancarlo had three podium finishes; 1st in rallye de l’Est, 2nd in Memorial and Bugesera rally sprints. He also had two 4th spot finishes in the Rwanda Mountain Gorilla and rallye du Huye and a 5th spot finish in rallye du Nord. Such returns on the big stage came after seven years spent as a bridesmaid (in the shadows) of Rudy Cantanhede (2007 & 2006), Elefter Mitraros (2005) and Tony Saegerman (2004) among others. Ends

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Giancarlo ponders ARC stint