Good start for Giancarlo, Costa

Rwanda’s drivers yesterday headed into Day two of the prestigious KCB Safari rally relishing their chances after a good start on Friday. Competing against Africa’s top drivers, national rally champion Davite Giancarlo clocked one minute and nine seconds to jointly finish third with Uganda’s duo of Riyaz Kurji and Emma Katto and the Kenyan pair of Carl Tundo and Navraj Hans in Friday’s Super Special stage at Uhuru Park, Nairobi. Olivier Costa tied with Uganda’s Jas Mangat in eighth place after clocking one minute and nine seconds. Last year’s African Rally Championship (ARC) runner up and a top contender this year, Jamie Whyte could only manage a 32nd finish. After the dismal drive, Whyte’s co-driver Phil Achenoul conceded, “We were not at home with short and tight stages. We spun twice and lost quite some seconds.” Kenya’s Baldev Chager and Alastair Cavenagh were joint leaders. The rally, covering a total distance of 700km has over 45 drivers competing for a podium finish. Ends