Davite starts pursuit for ARC title

RWANDAN national rally champion Davite Giancarlo begins his hunt for the African rally title on Saturday as the 39th Rally Cote d’Ivoire Bandama gets underway in Yamoussoukro, Cote d’Ivoire.Davite, who will be nagivated by Slyvia Vindevogel in a Mitsubishi Evo X, has spent the last five days in Yamoussoukro.The Italian-Rwandan born driver is eager to accumulate maximum points from the first round of the Africa Rally Championship before shifting focus to the East and Southern Africa races as he bids to win his first continental title after settling for second in the last two years.Vindevogel said through her facebook page, “We Went for test drive with Evo x, it’s an incredible car. Mr Colsoul showed Giancarlo how to use handbreak for spin. With Giancarlo on board, we will have so much fun.”“They are beautiful stages, very good notes, super car, pro service crew, our minds are focused now on only one thing, think and drive,” added Vindevogel.The race will take place in two stages of 441km. The Super Special Stage was held on Friday. Drivers will cover 317.76km in competitive sections including 159km of special Saturday and the second with 111km of special Sunday.The Rwandan pair will be flagged off third behind Ivorians Garcia Soumaoro and Jaber Rousseau.Gary Chaynes, Ligonnet Kevin, Pulveric Gilles, Fanes Bakary, Molinie Marc, Bottari Cyril, Brossier Pascal, Pages Eric, Jacquelin Luc, Maxime Abondio, William Farhat, Artault Pierrick, Nobou Frederic and Fane Abdoulaye are the other drivers taking part in the rally.The Rally de Bandama of Ivory Coast is the first round of the 2013 Africa rally Championship.Last year, Davite and Vindevogel finished second for a second year running behind Zambia’s Mohammed Essa in the FIA African Rally Championship.

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Davite starts pursuit for ARC title