[VIDEO & PHOTOS] Singh Jr takes early lead in 2016 Mt. Gorilla rally

The 2016 Mountain Gorilla Rally will remain momentous in the history of Rwandan Rally after a crowd of fans witnessed the first twin track rally event. The rally is the fifth Round of the FIA-Africa Rally Championship calendar.

Saturday, August 13, 2016
Cantanhede (right) and experienced female navigator, Sylvia Vinevogel pose on their car after yesterday's Super Special Stage at Amahoro Stadium. / Sam Ngendahimana

Today’s starting list

1. Rudy Cantanhede2. Muna Singh Jr3. Valery Bukera4. Mohammed Roshanali5. Hassan Aliwi6. Jean Claude Gakwaya7. Sultan Kalula8. Tesso Gakuba

The 2016 Mountain Gorilla Rally will remain momentous in the history of Rwandan Rally after a crowd of fans witnessed the first twin track rally event. The rally is the fifth Round of the FIA-Africa Rally Championship calendar.

Zambia’s Muna Singh Jr won the 4.20km Super Special Stage at Amahoro stadium in Kigali on Friday in 2:48 minutes ahead of Ugandan Hassan Aliwi with 2:54 minutes, while Rudy Cantanhede, from Burundi, came in third with 3:02 minutes.

Before they start their cars' engines, drivers and their assistants visit tour both tarmac and gravel roads. / Faustin Niyigena

The 20-year-old Zambian driver, who is navigated by his sister Jasmineen Singh in a Subaru N4, will start Day Two in second position behind Cantanhede, who is being navigated by experienced female navigator, Sylvia Vinevogel.

Team Uganda's drivers in the gravel road behind the stadium, a place used for driving schools business. / Faustin Niyigena

Another Burundian driver, Valery Bukera, in a Subaru Impreza N12, will start in third position ahead of Mohammed Roshanali. Hassan Aliwi, in a Subura Impreza, will start in fifth place.

Fans from different countries watch the game. / Faustin Niyigena
The first day of the rally takes place at Amahoro National Stadium in Kigali yesterday. Faustin Niyigena

Rwandan driver Jean Claude Gakwaya will start Day Two in the sixth position ahead of Sultan Kalula and Tesso Gakuba as the cars head for the 119.44km phase in Gako, Nyamata in Bugesera District of the Eastern Province. 

Kenyan Don Smith, who is leading the ARC, finished in 11th with 3:15 minutes.

Some fans watch the game from up the stadium. / Faustin Niyigena

For the first time in the history of the Rwanda Rally, the organisers, Rwanda Automobile, ran a twin track during the event at Amahoro stadium, and the rally fanatics were not disappointed as the 26 drivers, who entered the race, showed off fantastic driving skills.

Two cars raced against each other alongside the 1.90km and 2.30km circuits.

editorial@newtimes.co.rw