The 2023 Rwanda Mountain Gorilla Rally is finally here as East Africa’s elite drivers and their co-pilots convene in the country for the car racing fiesta. The 2023 edition of the car race is hosted by the Rwanda Automobile Club, and it is a 348.18 km stretch which has six stages that will run from September 22-24 in Kigali and in Bugesera District. This year’s edition has attracted 30 drivers including 23 national drivers and seven who are battling for points in the penultimate round of the African Rally Championship. The Rwanda Mountain Gorilla Rally is a flagship event of Rwanda Motorsport Club. It is an event of the African Rally Championship which is run under the auspices of the International Federation of Automobiles (FIA). The rally was officially opened by Sports Minister Aurore Mimosa Munyangaju at Kigali Convention Centre on Friday September 22. On the opening day, hundreds of Motorsport enthusiasts turned up for a Super Stage held at Kigali Heights Roundabout that left the likes of defending champion Karan Patel leading the classification with Ugandan duo Jas Mangat and Yassin Nasser following the way in second and third position respectively. Patel and his co-pilot Taussif Khan will be looking to chase yet another glory away from home when the race shifts to Bugesera on Saturday starting with Day 1 race which will see drivers competing at the Gako-Gasenyi-Nemba-Ruhuha itinerary. The New Times photographer Dan Kwizera Gatsinzi covered the opening of this annual race and brought some pictures for the highlights.
