Giancarlo eyes Sasol rally title

RWANDA’S rally ace, Davite Giancarlo has declared himself ready for the Sasol Oil (Pty) Ltd-sponsored 611.53km Sasol Rally due this Friday in Mpumalanga, South Africa.

Tuesday, April 16, 2013
Davite Giancarlo and Slyvia Vindevogel cruising their Subaru Imprezza in past rally. The duo, in their new Mistubishi Evo 10 are already in South Africa. The New Times / File.

RWANDA’S rally ace, Davite Giancarlo has declared himself ready for the Sasol Oil (Pty) Ltd-sponsored 611.53km Sasol Rally due this Friday in Mpumalanga, South Africa.The Sasol rally counts as the second round of this season’s eight-legged FIA African Rally Championship (ARC). Giancarlo, who will be navigated by Slyvia Vindevogel in their new Mistubishi Evo 10, are already in South Africa for reccing ahead of the competition. The event is a round of the FIA African Rally Championship and the Team Gianca duo will drive through the route twice on Wednesday at strictly controlled speeds as they make notes of the whole competitive sections.Former champion Christakis Fitidis, who will be driving on a Ugandan licence is also another local driver to watch. He will be navigated by Eric Maxime Nzamwita.Speaking to Times Sport recently, Giancarlo said, "Sasol rally is a must win. After that disappointment in Bandama, our aim will be to post a good performance such that I can realise my hopes of winning the Africa rally championship title.”"I have not given up on the title. I still want to give it a shot and I believe it’s possible. We were disappointed with what happened to us in Cote d’Ivoire but we have since worked on the engine and everything seems to be okay,” added the Italian born driver, who finished fifth last year.The national champion goes into the Sasol rally, a month after missing out on the Rally de Bandama title in Cote d’Ivoire.Before the end of the last stage, Giancarlo, was easily leading the return of the famous Rallye Bandama when the engine stopped with juts a kilometer left.It was a bitter disappointment for the crew as Ivorian driver Barary Fane and Moussa Fane went on to win the event in their Subaru Impreza ahead of Kevin Ligonnet and David Israel.Apart from Giancarlo and Fitidis, Sasol rally will attract defending champion Mohammed Essa from Zambia, Gary Chaynes, Eric Pages and Morifere Soumaoro from Cote d’Ivoire, Jan Habig and  Mark Cronje from South Africa and Sing Jaspreet Chatthe from Kenya.