ARC standings after rd one: 1.Muna Singh (ZAM)-10 pts2.Jas Mangat (UGA) - 83.Lola Verlaque (S.A) - 67. Rudy Cantanhede (RWA)-2 Past winners2007- C. Rautenbach (ZW)2006- Riyaz Kurji (UG2005- Riyaz Kurji (UG)) Rwanda’s top rally drivers Rudy Cantanhede and Giancarlo Davite have confirmed their participation in this year’s KCB Pearl of Africa rally. The Pearl of Africa Uganda Rally, which is the second round of the Africa Rally Championship (ARC), is scheduled for April 25-27. The duo is the only Rwandans who have so far confirmed their participation in this championship whose entries are still on until April 12. Rudy who won last year’s national rally championship noticed a bright start to this year’s championship as he won the Rally du Nord, which was held in Byumba.His counterpart Davite had a poor season last year but is expected to get back on track, he finished fifth in the Rally du Nord. Others foreign drivers who have confirmed their participation in this year’s Pearl of Africa rally are Riyaz Kurji, winner of the event in 2005 and 2006, Anwar brothers Azar and Asad (Kenya), Don Smith (Kenya), Yogesh Patel (Kenya), Anwar Pandya (Kenya), Lee Rose (Kenya). Others are, Randeep Birdi (Tanzania), Japanese Hideaki Miyoshi (Japan), James Whyte (Zimbabwe), Lola Verlaque ‘ Rally Chicks’ (South Africa), Ben Pelser (South Africa) and Muna Singh from Zambia. According to Uganda’s Daily Monitor, Archie Khan, General Manager of Kenya Motor Sports Federation (KMSF) and logistics coordinator for KCB rallies revealed that KCB would sponsor the Pearl Rally to the tune of around $40,000(approx. Frw21.6 millions).Meanwhile, this year’s KCB Pearl of Africa rally will for the first time be screened on SuperSport channels. Flash Back Ltd will do the recording on behalf of the South Africa pay television. This year’s event will have a total of 672km of which 304 km is competitive spread over 18 sections. The event, back in Mityana district for the first time since 2002, will also cover Mpigi and Wakiso. This year’s Pearl of Africa rally event will have a total of 672km, of which 304 km is competitive spread over 18 sections. Zimbabwe’s Conrad Rautenbach in a Subaru N12 won last year’s event on his way to the Africa title while Jas Mangat in a Golf GTI was the highest placed Ugandan in fourth place. Ends
