Sprint memorial rallyC.Fitidis/Tom Mitsubishi Evo 24:06G. Davite / Camus Subaru 25:16E.Mitraros/B.Mitraros VW Golf 26:16C. Kwizera/ I.Butera Peugeot 29:18Paganin/Cyatangabo Pegeout 29:18 Christakis Fitidis navigated by Tom Klsour in a Mitsubishi Evo VI won the Sprint Memorial Rally held in Kigali on Saturday. Fitidis clocked 24 minutes and six seconds to emerge the winner of the 50 km rally championship. Giancarlo Davite driving a Subaru Impreza finished second after clocking 25:16 while the Mitraros family (Elefter and Bernadette) finished third, clocking 26 minutes and 16 seconds respectively. Claude Kwizera and Paganin finished on fourth and fifth positions respectively. Among eights drivers who took part in the rally, five finished as three dropped out of the race due to mechanical problems. Costa Olivier navigated by Ruhashyankiko dropped out of the race after section two while Tony Saegerman and Jan Demeester came out after section seven and Dekelver co-navigated by Ken dropped out of the race after section five respectively. The rally was comprised of eight competitive sections from Karuruma to Jali Mountain.The Sprint memorial rally was season-opening event of the 2008 National Rally Championship (NRC). The rally which was initially scheduled for last month was postponed due to lack of fuel in East Africa over post-election violence in Kenya. According to the Rwanda Automobile Club (RAC) president Dismus Kayibanda, the rally was also held to honor Rwandan former drivers who perished on their way back to Rwanda after talking part in the 2006 African Rally championship held in Uganda dubbed Pear of Africa. According to Kayibanda, the drivers included; Kitoki, Leiss Michelle, Chantal Uwingabire and Jean Paul Mudaheranwa. Last year’s national rally champion failed to take part in this year’s Sprint rally.After the Sprint rally, local drivers will start preparations for the 14th edition of the Rally du Nord due on March 3 in Byumba.Ends
