Giancarlo has eyes on ARC crown

AS Davite Giancarlo assembles his wheel (Subaru Impreza N4) for the opening round of the 2010 FIA Africa Rally Championship (ARC) - Kobil rally of Tanzania, he has one thing on his mind; to win the ARC crown. The 2008 and 2009 national rally champion recently told Times Sport that he would do his best to race in all events on this year’s ARC calendar. “With the ARC, the first requirement is to try and compete in all races and then of course, trying to pick up the points,” the Italian-born speedster said. The Kobil rally of Tanzania is slated for February 19-22 in Dar es Salaam and Giancarlo, who will be navigated by Sylvia Vindevogel leaves for Tanzania, next Tuesday, while his Subaru sets off this Sunday. While Olivier Costa, who came fourth in last year’s ARC after collecting 19.5 points is yet to confirm his participation, Fitidis Christikas and Elefterios Mitraros are Rwanda’s other entries in the three-day rally. Christikas will be navigated by Dekelver Guy in a Subaru Impreza N4 while Paolo Paganin will co-drive for Mitraros in a similar car. Others drivers in the fray include reigning African champion Jamie Whyte from Zimbabwe, two-time African champion Muna Singh, Uganda’s duo Emma Kato and Jas Mangat, South Africa’s Lola and Megan Verlaque, Zambia’s speedster Mohamed Essa and Zimbabwe’s Greg Stead. Unlike Stead, Essa will be making a second appearance in the race after a forgettable debut last year. Kato and Mangat have been regular entrants since 2006.After the Kobil Rally of Tanzania, drivers will head to Kenya for the KCB Safari Rally (April 02-04). This will be followed by the Pearl of Africa Uganda rally (April 30-May 02), KCB Rwanda Mt. Gorilla Rally, Zambia International rally (July 16-18) and Toyota Zimbabwe Challenge Rally (August 27-29). Ends

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Giancarlo has eyes on ARC crown