PUMA ENERGY ZAMBIA INTERNATIONAL RALLY – Sunday 16h00 By IGNATIUS MAZEKO
AFRICAN champion Mohammed Essa of Zambia this afternoon bounced back from a poor start to the FIA African Rally Championship (ARC) 2013 season by retaining his Puma Energy Zambia International Rally title with a resounding six minutes 47 seconds second win.
Essa, who won all nine stages yesterday to lead by six minutes 29 seconds, sealed back-to-back home titles by winning three more stages today with Rwanda’s Giancarlo Davite claiming the other three stages in a Gianca Mitsubishi Evo X to take second place.
The 24-year-old Zambian, who had a broken drive shaft on his Prodrive-built Madison/Puma/iConnect Subaru Impreza N2010 R4 yesterday and a flat tyre in the first stage today, prevailed by timing 3:08:35 over three days from 17 stages stretching 228.14km.
Uganda’s Jas Mangat (Mansons Subaru N12) finished 11 minutes 18 seconds off the pace in third place and completing the top four ARC bracket was 20-year-old Zambian champion Jassy Singh who was 35 minutes five seconds slower than his compatriot in fifth place overall.
Jassy, the son of 2004 and 2005 African champion Muna Singh, was averaging third fastest stage times but lost grip of the rally in stage six yesterday when he damaged the front differential and a drive shaft of his NetOne Technologies Subaru N10 and a gearbox today.
Elsewhere, crowd favourite Ken Mukosa (Pembe Subaru) recorded his best performance ever by finishing fourth overall and second in the national championship in three hours 38 minutes seven seconds much to the delight of his fans when he made the ramp finish at Rally HQ InterContinental Lusaka.
Sixth and seventh position went to Dani Beaini (Poncho Subaru N12) and 18-year-old rally debutant and former motocross rider Toofail Dalal (Taj Subaru GC8) in 3:57:43 and 4:23:23 respectively.
Farook Ticklay (Oriental Subaru N10) who retired yesterday after electrical problems, his younger brother Yazdaan Ticklay (Subaru GC8) on Friday and Jassy's younger brother Muna Sing jr (VW Golf 2) finished under Super Rally.
Essa said he was happy with his performance while Davite's co-driver Sylvia Vindevogel dedicated her team's maiden Zambia finish in four successive attempts to all female rally competitors and enthusiasts.
Mangat, who equally did not have the smoothest of rallies, congratulated the good work or his team for making the podium and thanked the rally's organisers for staging a successful rally.
Crews have less than four weeks to prepare their machines for the fourth round, the Rally Tanzania set for June 14-16 in Dar-es-Salaam.
BREAKING NEWS - Sunday 19th May 2013 - 17h05 Essa wins Zambia Int Rally: 1. Mohammed Essa 3:08:35 2. Giancarlo Davite +6:47 3. Jas Mangat +11:18 4. Mukosa +29:32 5. Jassy Singh +35:05 6. Dani +49:08 7. Toofail +1:14:48
PUMA ENERGY ZAMBIA INTERNATIONAL RALLY - Saturday 18th May 2013 - 18h00 By IGNATIUS MAZEKO
AFRICAN champion Mohammed Essa (Subaru Impreza N010 R4) of Zambia has taken a comfortable six minute 46 second lead in the FIA African Rally Championship (ARC) 2013 third round event, the Puma Energy Zambia International Rally.
Essa, who started the day six seconds ahead of Rwanda's Giancarlo (Mitsubishi Evo X) and Uganda's Jas Mangat (Subaru N12), thoroughly dominated the day dropping only one stage from nine stages even with a 20 second penalty for lateness from service after a breaking a front right drive shaft.
Davite maintained second place with a two second four minute cushion on Mangat on a grueling day when Penyaonse stage 10 (21.72km) was cancelled because of severe sand and six crews retired their vehicles from the rally after encountering mechanical problems.
Zambian champion Jassy Singh (Subaru N10), who suffered the most mechanical problems of the four African championship crews ending up incurring a two minute 20 second lateness penalty, is in a distance fourth place, 12 minutes 35 seconds adrift of Mangat.
In the national championship, crowd favourite Ken Mukosa (Subaru N8) is occupying the final podium position after trading positions with 18-year-old debutant Toofail Dalal (Subaru GC8) while Dani Beaini (Subaru N12) crawled back into the rally after breaking two drive shafts albeit with a six minute 50 second lateness penalty.
Another youngster Yazdaan Ticklay (Subaru GC8) also made a brave fightback to stay in the rally and is now carrying a 26 minute 50 second lateness penalty incurred from Friday when he staled on transport to the Rally HQ from the Super Special Stage in the Showgrounds.
Saturday end results
1. Mohammed Essa 1:59:09
2. Giancalo Davite +06:02
3. Jas Mangat +8:06
4. Jassy Singh +20:41
5. Ken Mukosa +24:43
6. Toofail Dalal +35:12
7. Dani Beaini +42:27
8. Yazdaan Ticklay +1:36:02
Retired
1. Noel Masadza (turbo)
2. Farook Ticklay (electrical)
3. Jamie Whyte (engine)
4. Azim Ticklay (radiator)
5. Muna Singh jr (ball joints)
6. Walter Wasamunu (engine)
PUMA ENERGY ZAMBIA INTERNATIONAL RALLY - Friday 17th May 2013 - 18h00 By IGNATIUS MAZEKO
AFRICAN champion Mohammed Essa of Zambia has opened up a six-minute overnight lead on the first day of the FIA African Rally Championship (ARC) third round, the 488.70km Puma Energy Zambia International Rally in Lusaka. Essa was fastest on both runs on the twisty Lusaka Motor Club 1.63km Super Special Stage bringing his recently acquired Madison/Puma/iConnect Subaru Impreza N2010 R4 home four seconds quicker than Rwanda's Giancarlo Davite (Mitsubishi Evo X) on the first loop. Essa dropped two seconds from his earlier 1:33 seconds while Davite matched his time to trade second and third positions with another African title contender Jas Mangat (Subaru N12) of Uganda who improved his time by two seconds thus both recording an identical time overall going into the rally proper tomorrow on fast and tight stages of Graham Ray Farm in Chisamba. Jassy Singh (NetOne Technologies Subaru N10) of Zambia jostled with former African champion Jamie Whyte (Subaru N10) of Zimbabwe for fourth and fifth positions with the latter prevailing by one second on the first run before dropping a second while the Zambia gained two seconds grab. Jassy and Davite have a chance to take over the African championship lead if they play their cards right in this rally in the absence of joint leaders Eric Pages of Ivory Coast and South Africa's Jan Habig while Essa is yearning for him first points of the season after his misfortunes during the Sasol Rally last month. The Zambia rally that had 16 entries, lost two key local entries before the start when former national champion Paul Monge and Ashish Patel, who was narrowly piped to the domestic crown by Jassy last year, withdrew their entries after failing to fix their Subarus on time. In the national champions race, hard-working Farook Ticklay (Subaru N10) is in the podium bracket behind Essa and Jassy and is followed by crowd favourite Ken Mukosa (Subaru N8) who stole the show for the umpteenth time as fans cheered throughout his runs before lifting him sky high before crews left the Showgrounds. Birthday boy Dani Beaini (Subaru N12) finished eighth overall and his was followed by veteran Azim Ticklay (Toyota Land Cruiser), 18-year-old rally debutant Toofail Dalal (Subaru GC8), Noel Masadza (Mitsubishi Evo 5), Muna Singh jr (VW Golf 2) and Walter Wasamunu (Subaru GC8). Unfortunately, youngster Yazdaan Ticklay (Subaru GC8) may have been time barred after he stalled on the road on transport between the Showgrounds and overnight Parc Ferme at Rally HQ, InterContinental Lusaka having successfully complete both his runs.
Former South Africa rally champion Jan Habig powering his Ford Feista S2000 to win the ARC class in the Sasol Rally South Africa which finished in Nelspruit on Saturday 20th April 2013.
19 year old Jassy Singh is one of the youngest participants in the ARC and came second in ARC.Navigated by former ARC Champion navigator David Sihoka from Zambia.
Rwandan Giancarlo Davite in his new Mitsubishi Evo 10 had bad luck again when his clutch would not disengage. He finished 3rd in ARC during the Sasol Rally.
SASOL RALLY 2013 - Saturday 20th April 2013 - 15h20
Heavy rains this morning resulted in stoppage of SS12 after the 4x4 cars all passed and the S1600 2WD cars all got stuck. The 2WD cars were all given a bogey time. The SS13 and SS14 were cancelled after the Zero car got stuck. In the ARC registered drivers South African Jan Habig is leading with Zambia's Jassy Singh in second place. Drama struck Giancarlo Davite when his clutch got stuck in SS6 and coasted to a halt at the FF. Then managed to fix this and eventually continued beating the time bar by a few minutes.
Event leader Matthew Wilson lost over 3 minutes due to a failed Windscreen demister so could not see out! Mark Cronje has taken the lead and Matthew is now in second. Only one stage a small stadium stage now remains.
Positions after last big stage SS12. 1. Mark Cronje / Robin Houghton Ford 1:59:49.8 2. Matthew Wilson / Chris Patterson Ford 1:01:01.2 3. Leroy Poulter / Evilne Coetzee Toyota 2:02:16.2 4. Henk Lategan / Barry White VW Polo 2::03:32.8 5. John Gemmel / Carolyn Swan Toyota 2. 04:18.1 6. Jan Habig / Robert Paisley Ford 2:06:21.0 ::::: 17. Jassy Singh / David Sihoka Subaru 2:28:14.6 ::::: 21. Giancarlo Davite / Sylvia Vindevogel Mitsubishi 2:32:55.0
Probable ARC Points scored in South Africa: Jan Habig (South Africa)25 points Jassy Singh (Zambia)18 points Giancarlo Davite (Rwanda) 15 points
BREAKING NEWS - Monday 16th April 2013 The first Kenyan drivers to register for the FIA African Rally Championship were received yesterday. Mr. Jaspreet Singh Chatthe (Driver) and Mr. Gurdeep Singh Panesar (Navigator) submitted their registration today.
REGISTERED DRIVERS FOR THE 2013 FIA AFRICAN RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP AS AT 15th April 2013 - Before Sasol Rally South Africa 2013
DRIVERS Giancarlo DAVITE (Rwanda) Jassy SINGH (Zambia) Mohamed ESSA (Zambia) Gary CHAYNES (Ivory Coast) Morifere SOUMAORO (Ivory Coast) Eric PAGES (Ivory Coast) Christakis FITIDES (Uganda) Jan HABIG (South Africa) Jaspreet Singh CHATTHE (Kenya) Jas MANGAT (Uganda)
NAVIGATORS Sylvia VINDEVOGEL (Rwanda) David SIHOKA (Zambia) Greg STEAD (Zimbabwe) Chantal PAGES (Ivory Coast) Phillipe GARCIA (Ivory Coast) Eric Maxime NZAMWITA (Uganda) Grudeep Singh PANESAR (Kenya) MORE BREAKING NEWS !! Former South African rally champion Jan HABIG has just submitted his registration for the 2013 FIA African Rally Championship. This is great news and brings the registered drivers to 8 so far.
BREAKING NEWS!!!! Motor Racing News has just got off the phone to South African Rally Champions Mark Cronje. He has confirmed that Matthew Wilson (son of the famous Malcolm Wilson of M-Sport) will be Mark's team mate for the FIA African Rally Championship Sasol Rally next weekend. Another famous name Chris Patterson (Petter Solberg's previous navigator) will read the pace notes for Wilson. Then to add to the big guns in the Ford stable, Team principle of the WRC M-Sport Team Mr. Malcolm Wilson himself will assume the chief engineer role for the event
Winners of the ARC Rallye Bandama Cote D’Ivoire 2013 Eric Pages and his wife Chantal Pages in their Mitsubishi Evo 10 in action on the super special stage.
All the drivers of ARC Rallye Bandama Cote D’Ivoire 2013 in a group photo at the start of the event.
Eric Pages and Chantal Pages at the re-start of Leg 2 in the 2013 Rallye Bandama Cote D’ Ivoire where they finished third overall and first registered crew in the 2013 ARC. They drove a Mitsubishi Evo 10 and are now leading the Championship. Next round is the Sasol Rally South Africa on 15th – 17th April 2013.
RALLYE BANDAMA COTE D'IVOIRE - Sunday 3rd March 2013
DISAPPOINTMENT FOR GIANCARLO DAVITE AS BAKARY FANE WIN RALLY One kilometer before the end of the last stage Gian Carlo Davite and Sylvia Vindevogel from Rwanda who were easily lading the return of the famous Rallye Bandama when the engine stopped. A bitter disappointment for this crew. Ivorian driver Barary Fane and Moussa Fane went on to win the event in their Subaru Impreza ahead of Kevin Ligonnet and David Israel (formerly from Rwanda) The first ARC registered crew were Eric Pages and Chantal Pages who score the maximum 25 points for this event. They finished third overall in their Mitsubishi Evo10. Full results for the 6 finishers from the 17 starters are:
1. Bakary FANE / Moussa FANE (CIV) Subaru Impreza 2:17:27 2. Kevin LIGONNET / David ISRAEL (CIV) Subaru Impreza 2: 17:50 3. Eric PAGES / Chantal PAGES (CIV) Mitsubishi Evo 10 2:21:31 4. Marc MOLINIE/ Cedric MOLINIE (CIV) Mitsubishi Evo 7 2:26:27 5. Gilles PULVERIC / Didier LEBORGNE (CIV) Peugeot 207 2:26:36 6. Ali JABER / Charles ROUSSEAU (CIV) Mitsubishi Evo8 2:27:49
REGISTERED DRIVERS FOR THE 2013 FIA AFRICAN RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP AS AT 15th April 2013 - Before Rally Cote D'Ivoire 2013
DRIVERS Giancarlo DAVITE (Rwanda) Jassy SINGH (Zambia) Mohamed ESSA (Zambia) Gary CHAYNES (Ivory Coast) Morifere SOUMAORO (Ivory Coast) Eric PAGES (Ivory Coast) Christakis FITIDES (Uganda) Jan HABIG (South Africa) Jaspreet Singh CHATTHE (Kenya)
NAVIGATORS Sylvia VINDEVOGEL (Rwanda) David SIHOKA (Zambia) Greg STEAD (Zimbabwe) Chantal PAGES (Ivory Coast) Phillipe GARCIA (Ivory Coast) Eric Maxime NZAMWITA (Uganda) Grudeep Singh PANESAR (Kenya)
LISTE DES ENGAGES- ENTRY LIST -ARC Round 1 RALLYE BANDAMA COTE D’IVOIRE 1/3 MARCH 2013
N°
NATIONNALITE
PILOTES
COPILOTES
NAT
MARQUES
MODELES
1
SOUMAORO Moriféré
GARCIA Philippe
CIV
MITSUBISHI
EVO 9
2
JABER
Ali
ROUSSEAU
Jean Charles
CIV
MITSUBISHI
EVO 8
3
DAVITE GIANCARLO
VINDEVOGEL SYLVIA
IT
MITSUBISHI
EVO 10
4
CHAYNES Gary
COMAS Romain
CIV
MITSUBISHI
EVO 9
5
LIGONNET Kévin
David ISRAEL
CIV
MITSUBISHI
EVO 6
6
PULVERIC Gilles
LEBORGNE Didier
CIV
PEUGEOT
207 RC
7
FANE
Bakary
FANE
Moussa
CIV
SUBARU
IMPREZA
8
MOLINIE Marc
MOLINIE Cédric
CIV
MITSUBISHI
EVO 7
9
BOTTARI
Cyril
LE PARLOUËR
Nicolas
CIV
SUBARU
IMPREZA
10
BROSSIER Pascal
KESSELI Vanessa
CIV
MITSUBISHI
EVO 9
11
PAGES
Eric
PAGES
Chantal
CIV
MITSUBISHI
EVO 10
12
JACQUELIN Luc
JACQUELIN Virginie
CIV
MITSUBISHI
EVO 6
14
ABONDIO Maxime
RICHARD
Jean-Claude
CIV
TOYOTA
COROLLA
15
FARHAT William
FARHAT Andréa
CIV
NISSAN
PULSAR
16
ARTAULT Pierrick
VIDAL Alexandra
CIV
MITSUBISHI
EVO 5
17
NOBOU Frédéric
KOUADIO KAN Jésus
CIV
TOYOTA
COROLLA
18
FANE Abdoulaye
FANE Mamadou
CIV
PEUGEOT
205 GTI
2013 FIA AFRICAN RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP
The 2013 FIA African Rally Championship has been announced and the calendar is as follows: 01– 03 March 2013 Rally Bandama Cote D’Ivoire 18 – 20 April 2013 Sasol Rally South Africa 17 – 19 May 2013 Zambia International Rally 14 – 16 June 2013 Tanzania Rally 05 – 07 July 2013 KCB Safari Rally Kenya 16 – 18 August 2013 Pearl of Africa Uganda Rally 20 – 22 September 2013 Rwanda Mountain Gorilla Rally 01 – 03 November 2013 International Madagascar Rally
The regulations for the 2013 ARC have also been changed as follows:
1. Registration of drivers and co-drivers to compete in the championship has been re-introduced so all competitors who wish to score points must register. Registration forms can be found on the website www.africanrallychampionship.com
2. Application for the extension of homologation of many expired models of cars has been applied to the FIA and has been approved. Details are on www.fia.com
For the first round the organizers have an offer to rent a rally car from Belgium. Details are below.
ARC Secretariat CACMS
From: Alain Ambrosino -
Sent: Wednesday, 02 January, 2013 8:56 PM Subject: Rental of a Rally Car for Rallye Côte d'Ivoire Bandama 2013
Dear Sir,
First of all, we want to wish you happiness andhealthfor the new year2013
For the39thRallyCôte d'IvoireBandama2013counting for African Rally Championship 2013 on the1st, 2nd and3rd March 2013, ColsoulRallysportMitsubishioffersto rent, rally cars, onthefollowing conditions. If some of your drivers are interested, they can contact us and wewill connectwith the team
PROPOSITION from Colsoul Rallysport Belgium
Mitsubishi Evo 10 N Rental rate: 12.500 Euro
Included in the price: - rental car - transport the car to Europe / Abidjan/Europe + airfare mechanics and managers
Not included : - tyres - fuel - insurance deductible (10% of the insured value = 6500 Euro). This is the maximum amount payable by the driver in case of accident. This amount should be given bail before using the car. - mechanic's accommodations and hotel
Regards, Alain Ambrosino
Patrick Solofonirina and Bethin Randriamihaingo driving a Mitsubishi Evo10 won the last round of the 2012 ARC held in Madagascar from 16/19th November 2012. Here pictured in action during a stage of the event.
PATRICK SOLOFONIRINA WINS THE 2012 MADAGASCAR RALLY
"Boom" Patrick Solofonirina et Bethin Randriamihaingo become the second malagasy crew to win a round of the FIA African Rally Championship (ARC) after the pair of Jean Yves "Joda" Ranarivelo and Rila Ranaivomampianina (3 times ARC round winner).
Boom and Berthin in their Mitsubishi Evo X won the Rallye International de Madagascar (RIM), 8th and final round of ARC 2012, ran in conjonction with the 6th and final round of the Madagascar Rally Championship (MRC)
Friday, Novembre 16th, 43 crews took run up from the Rally HQ, near the Senate Palace, opposite the Black Angel Lake. As the ARC 2012 is already won by the Zambian Mohamed Essa, no driver from the Continent cross the Mozambique channel to make the trip to the Great Island. The competition came down to a fight between local drivers. A driver joked « It’s shame that Essa didn’t come, he wouldn’t be disappointed with the standard of Madagascar drivers », However, the event remains very exciting with many key battles, mainly the one between three last contenders for the MRC title : Olivier, Boom and Kopela.
There is 11 competitive sections to be run over throughout the rally.
According to Boom, the winner : « it was not easy to manage the race, if you ease off you’ll lose ground ; overshoots run risk of damage . The roads were a bit rough. The most challenging competitive section is the Androrohoro stage where road is twisty and narrow. There was also slippery sections ». Maybe the reason of output drives for Titi Rabekoto (Subaru Impreza) and Tahiana Andriamanantena (Subaru Impreza).
Boom completed the 478 km event of which 242 km was competitive in total of 3 hours and 20 seconds. He finished 4 minutes ahead of Olivier Ramiandrisoa. But this 2nd place is enough for Prodrive built Subaru Impreza driver to seal Madagascar Championship. He took sufficiently lead before this final round for « above all, (he) reached completion while trying not to lost too much time. ». This title rewrads the constency of the crew. Olivier and his father Haingo are one of rare crew – including the mixed crew Mac Guillot – Ms Nivo Razakarivony (Subaru Impreza) and the female crew Patty Randriamahefa – Sylvia Rakotovao (Citroën Visa) - who have completed all rounds of National Championship.
Five times former Madagascar Champion Jean Yves Marie "Joda" Ranarivelo co-drived by Teddy Rahamefy (Subaru Impreza) finished third overall (+7 min17 sec), caught once again by a puncture. This misfortune reflects very well this event which is full of surprises.
Right at the start, Mathieu Andrianjafy - who won Tanzania Round of the Pirelli Star Driver 2009 against other african young drivers, one of which was … Mohamed Essa – hit hard, After just first day’s two short stages he was a scant 4 seconds ahead Joda and 7 seconds ahead Olivier. Boom stayed in touch, followed by Hubert "Mamy Kely" in his Subaru Impreza M12 (equivalent to group S in Southern Africa).
6 stages (3 stages covered 2 times) were schedulled for the second day. Mathieu continued his one man show, on the morning stages. Joda still lose time due to a car which have been short of adjustement. In the first run on the 30 km Androrohoro stage (CS4) he lost around 2 seconds per kilometer in relation to Mathieu.
Drama in this CS4 when Kopela Ratsihoarana retired (suspension) while Boom get an edge over Olivier, stage after stage.
But Mathieu’s race was slowed down then stopped by the weak point of his Mitsubishi Evo 9 : the gear box. "Really, I don’t understand" said Laurent Ramiarijaona, co driver and team boss "it was set up by a professional".
Free of his strongest opponent, Joda was flying to his 4th Arc round. He went to bed with 34 seconds cushion from Boom although he hit an embankment in the second day’s last stage. But that was reckoning without a puncture in the opening stage of the third day : more than 9 minutes lost.
Boom took the laurels. Joda retrograde in the 3rd position, in a last stand gesture he posted fastest times in the two last stages of the event but position on podium still unchanged. « Nothing can’t be taken for granted untill the finish lane » Joda commented on the final ramp « Mathieu would have win. We had to overcome many scares but we are here »
Boom and Berthin savored their 3rd victory of the year. A delighted Berthin, codriver and Team Manager, said : « We are pleased by winning the rally and thanks all our sponsor for their supports ».
20 years old driver Fred Ramboasoa put up a gallant fight aboard his father Subaru Impreza and enterred Top5 before he retired in the antepenultimate stage.
Spared by the Jinx, Guiguibone Andrianjafy (Mitsubishi Evo9) grabbed eventually 4th position. Mac Guillot (Subaru Impreza) finished 6th and Yves Rabarijoely (Subaru Impreza) closed top 10
Tovonen Rakotojohary in his Renault Clio enterred Top5 and won the 2 Wheels Drive Catégory which produced a merciless batlle between Tovonen and Fidinera (Renault Clio). Fidinera was contented of his 7th overall place that granted him the 2WD category Championship tittle.
Young driver Sitraka Rakotomalala was very impressive for his first rally on the left seat (driver), he matched with the two top favorites of the category before he rolled his Renault Clio. Sitraka and Rado, his father are unscathed.
Besides the Ramiandrisoa and the Rakotomalala, the Randriambololona started the rally but separately. Jaona, the father, associated with Bibi Rasendratsirofo (Peugeot 106) didn’t cross the finish line. Mahents, the son, who co-drived Ryan Rakotondrasoa was luckier.
22 drivers finished the rally. Among the finisher are : Soloberg Ratrimoarivony (Peugeot 205) and Joujou Razanaparany (Citroen Ax) who won respectively the under 1600cc and under 1400cc 2WD category, the 2011 Madagascar Karting Champion Iannis Pardon (Citoën Saxo T4), the Madagascar fastest mayor, Maurice Raktondrabe (Peugeot 205), drivers in venerable vehicles such as Bera Ralalarison’ s Peugeot 204 Safari or Nicki Delmotte’s Peugeot 505. Beta Randriamazomanana in his Peugeot 504 V6 retired as the second female crew Alcazaria Raharinosy – Kookie Rakotomalala (P205)
Curtain is folded both on the ARC and the MRC which were very exciting. Everybody now shift attention to 2013 season that is expected more fascinating.
O. RAMIANDRISOA – H. RAMIANDRISOA (SUBARU) +0:04:01
RANARIVELO – RAHAMEFY (SUBARU) +0:07:17
G. ANDRIANJAFY – F. RANDRIAMBOLOLONA (MITSUBISHI) +0:15:40
RAKOTOJOHARY – RAZAFINARIVO (R. CLIO) +0:22:19
MAC – RAZAKARIVONY (SUBARU) +0:23:34
RASETARIVELO – RASAMIMANANA (R. CLIO ) +0:33:54
RAKOTOZAFY – RABENANTOANDRO (R. CLIO) +0:47:00
R. RABARIJOELY – RANDRIAMIHAJA (P. 205) +0:50:04
Y. RABARIJOELY – H. RAKOTOMALALA (SUBARU) +0:52:06
FIA President Jean Todt presenting the “Best ARC Rally 2011 Award” to the President of Zimbabwe Motor Sport Federation (ZMSF) Mr. Austin Whitehead and the event Clerk of Course Mr. Ralph Stead during the CACMS Annual Conference held in Mauritius early in September 2012. I presenting the award President Jean Todt praised Zimbabwe for winning this prestigious trophy and asked all organizers of the ARC to improve their event standards to promote the sport in Africa.
All the delegates from 17 countries around Africa in a group photo with the President of the FIA Mr. Jean Todt and the President of the FIA Institute Professor Gerard Saillent at the Hotel Paradis in Mauritius during the annual CACMS Conference in September 2012.
Elefter Mitraros and Paolo Paginin in their Subaru Impreza on the way to win the 2012 KCB Rwanda Moutain Gorilla rally in Rwanda.
In the black Subaru Olivier Costa drove to second overall in the ARC class.
MITRAROS RULES AS RWANDA MOUNTAIN GORILLA RALLY ORGANISERS IMPRESS KCB Rwanda Mountain Gorilla Rally 2012 lived up to its billing as one of the better run events in the FIA African Rally Championship series calendar-thanks to the dedicated Team of young organisers comprising Christian Gakwaya and Salim Abdulgani ,Fabrice Semana & Eric Gakwaya.
This particular edition will perhaps go down in the folklore as one of the most successful events. It treated spectators to some exhilarating displays. It was encouraging to see picturesque "fast and twisty" stages running up and down the mountains.
With Zambian Mohamed Essa and his Zim partner Greg Stead sealing ARC championship in Rally Tanzania, only 17 cars entered the Kigali based tour.
Spectator fever was incredible. The super special alone attracted some 6000 spectators. There was no littering reported and most importantly no alcohol consumption at the super special witnessed-kudos to spectators for setting a good precedent.
Action-wise, the rally was full of drama. Giancarlo Davite and Sylvia Vindevogel crashed out with a sheared ball joint while leading on SS2. Cristakis Fitidis wasn't lucky either as he rolled his Subaru in one of the tricky sections.
Elefter Mitraros and his partner Paolo Paganin in a Subaru Impreza was the winner with a cumulative time of 3.55.14hours followed by Olivier Costa and Didier Duguese in a similar make on 4.08.80 hours.
Rwanda Mountain Gorilla Rally - Report ELEFTER MITRAROS WINS ARC RALLY AHEAD OF OLIVIER COSTA Kigali, September 23rd 2012.
The driver with over 40 years of Rally experience in the FIA African Rally Championship Elefter Mitraros and Paolo Paganin won the Rwanda Rally this Sunday in their Subaru Impreza ahead of Olivier Costa in a similar car. This year was an exciting one for rally fans in Gahanga, Shyorongi, Nyacyonga, muhanda , kajevuba, Nduba and Muhondo. A great number of Rwandans were privileged to be a part of this exhilarating experience, the KCB Mountain Gorilla Rally this September from the 21st to the 23rd of September. Rwandan participants featured Giancarlo who made 2nd position in the African Rally championships. Giancarlo was only able to win Friday’s super stage in a time of 4:29, but didn’t make it on Saturday’s 22-September rally, his car went off-road. Among other Rwandan Contestants were; Fitidis Christakis, whose car had a flat tire , which latter got involved in an accident, since the car lost balance and almost drove into a ditch. Among other accident cases in the Rwanda Team were Eric Nzamwita.
This year’s Rally had the priviledge of hosting one of Africa’s Greatest champions, Charles Muhangi, the only East African who flanked 1st place in the ARC championships in 1999. The strong Ugandan team was lead by Fred Wapamba, who emerged 3rd in Saturday’s rally, in a time of 2:48:02. And has finished in 2nd place at the final finish line.
The KCB Mountain Gorilla Rally 2012 featured 4 main key battles; Mitsubishi vs Subaru, Local drivers vying for the National Rally championships, International champions vying for African Rally Championships, and the Locals vs International champions.
Total distance covered was 600 km. 300 km was competitive. There 16 competitive sections to be re-run over throughout the rally. The longest distance covered was 25km and shortest was 2.4 km. The 3day Mountain Gorilla Rally wrapped up with the contestants navigating through Nduba-Kajevuba-rusasa-Rudogo-remera-Nyacyonga Route.
2013 FIA AFRICAN RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP DRAFT CALENDAR PUBLISHED
Following the annual CACMS meeting held in Mauritius on 3rd-4th September 2012 the calendar dates for the 2013 ARC has been confirmed.
The dates are:
01– 03 March 2013 Rally Bandama Cote D’Ivoire *** 18 – 20 April 2013 Sasol Rally South Africa 17 – 19 May 2013 Zambia International Rally 14 – 16 June 2013 Tanzania Rally 05 – 07 July 2013 Kenya Safari Rally 16 – 18 August 2013 Pearl of Africa Uganda Rally 20 – 22 September 2013 Rwanda Mountain Gorilla Rally 01 – 03 November 2013 International Madagascar Rally ** Subject to FIA confirmation
The regulations for the 2013 ARC have also been changed as follows:
1. Registration of drivers and co-drivers to compete in the championship has been re-introduced so all competitors who wish to score points must register.
2. Application for the extension of homologation of many expired models of cars has been applied to the FIA and we hope this will be approved very soon.
MOHAMMED ESSA & GREG STEAD ARE 2012 FIA AFRICAN RALLY CHAMPIONS Sunday 2nd September 2012 - Dar es Salaam 20h00
22 years old Mohammed ESSA from Lusaka, Zambia and his co-driver Greg STEAD won the 2012 FIA African Rally Championship in style by an overall victory in the Puma Energy Rally of Tanzania which finished in Dar es salaam on Sunday evening.
Essa led the event from start to finish and his closest contender Giancarlo DAVITE and Sylvia VINDEVOGEL from Rwanda had problems and eventually finished 4th overall but second in the ARC classifications.
Mohammed ESSA becomes the youngest ever ARC winner, a position previously held by Conrad Rautenbach.
15 cars started the Tanzania Rally with only 6 finishing the tough 253 km competitive mileage of the event which was held north of Dar in the Bagamoyo area.
Mohammed Essa crowned Shell Pearl of Africa Uganda Rally 2012 champion – By Fredrick Musisi - Kamplala – Sunday 15th July 2012 19h30
Final classification overall
1. Mohammed Essa/ Greg Stead (Subaru N12) 02:38:10 2. Jas Mangat/Ravi Soni (Subaru N12) 02:41:12 3. Giancarlo Davite/Sylvia Vindevogel (Subaru N11) 02:56:10 4. Roland Ssebuguzi (Mitsubishi Evo 9) 02:57:01 5. Susan Muwonge (Subaru N10) 03:01:26 6. E. Mungyereza (Subaru N10) 03:20:06 7. E. Mitraros (Subaru N10) 03:21:27 8. J. Kansime (Subaru) 03:39:41 9. P. Sebambulidde (Toyota Levin) 04:08:34 10. Ismail Lule (Golf Gti) 04:28:44 11. Barrows Lumu (Subaru) 04:35:54
Zambia rally ace Mohammed Essa becomes the seventh foreign crew to win the Shell Pearl of Africa Uganda Rally.
The 23-year-old was crowned the champion yesterday after completing the 644.89km event of which 371.75km was competitive in a total of 02:38:10. The win also puts him in sight of his maiden Africa Rally Championship (ARC) title. The excited Zambian said that he will try to seal the ARC title in Tanzania in September. “This win is a bonus for me. Before I set of from Zambia, my aim was to finish fit top three. I have enjoyed the event although the roads were a bit rough,” he told the press.
However, Essa was disappointed with the standard of Uganda drivers. “Apart from Jas (Mangat) the rest of the drivers did not give it all. I saw them in super special stage (Lubiri). A foreigner coming and beat you in your own backyard is not a good sign,” he ended. Mangat who finished second over two minutes behind was relieved man at the end. “The event had become of the jinx for me in Subaru. This is my first finish and I am thrilled. I thought it was not going to happen when I had gear box problem yesterday morning. But thank to my mechanics who fixed the problem. Topping the NRC is also a bonus for and ready for next event,” he said. Mangat leads the NRC with 283 points with two rounds to go.
Giancarlo Davite finished third ahead of Sebaguzi and was eventually placed ahead of the Jomayi team rider. But the fourth place was enough for Sebuguzi to joint second in NRC on 235 points with Duncan Mubiru who dropped out on Saturday. Susan ‘Super Lady’ Muwonge of Kobil Rally team, maintained her remarkable run of finishing Pearl event save for 2010 since 2007. She has finished the ARC event no lower than fifth place. “It a double joy for me, finishing Pearl after having shocks problems the whole of Saturday and gives me chance of retaining the NRC title,” she said.
The top three ARC and overall winners on the podium of the KCB Safari Rally Kenya at the KICC in Nairobi at the finish.
Carl Tundo and Tim Jessop at speed in their Mitsubishi Evo9 to win the KCB Safari Rally Kenya Round 4 of the 2012 ARC.
KCB SAFARI RALLY 2012 – ARC ROUND 4 - By Samson Ateka – Sunday 10th June 2012 18h30 CARL TUNDO AND TIM JESSOP ARE THE WINNERS – IAN DUNCAN SECOND – MOMAMMED ESSA FOURTH
The Dalbit Petroleum team of Carl Tundo and his partner Tim Jessop won their fourth career Safari accolade- albeit narrowly as Kenyan round of FIA African Rally Championship folded it’s curtains at Kenyatta International Conference Centre (KICC). The duo was compelled to battle for the top honors and they accomplished the feat in bravado eclipsing a hard- charging 1994 WRC Safari winner Ian Duncan by a mere 15 seconds.
Tundo was on cloud nine saying: “I am ecstatic to have won three other Safaris and now to defend my last year win. This is fantastic but the old boy Ian was really pushing me today. It’s a small amount (talking about his lead in the championship). It’s still close but I am good. It’s been long and tiring- I mean the 87km stage was fairly demanding. Good but demanding. The concentration levels have been huge. We had a few sort of teething issues like centre diff not working but other than that she runs smoothly.”
Ian on the other part said: “I am very happy to be here. The three days were certainly very hard. Good old days. The only thing now is that we are doing longer stages at special stage speeds. It was a good rally. The car held up well, just.”
Quentin Mitchell and Chris Davis were all smiles and was contented with third overall place: “I am extremely happy. It’s been a long, long rally and really nice to get back here. It’s also really nice for our sponsors (Oilibya) so hopefully we have proved to them they have backed the right horse. The car definitely needs some work because it took some beating like we did the last stage on three drive shafts. I think now that we have the backing we can do testing with the car, more spares during service. Everything now means we can go up a gear and attack harder the rest of the season.” Tigoni-based Oilibya Racing –sponsored youngster Quentin Mitchell sealed the podium dash incidentally 14.39minutes from the winner.
With an apparently insatiable hunger for success, Duncan set quickest times on all the two stages at stake on Day Two but Tundo vanquished all his fears when he checked into last service at Il-Bissel Primary on realization that he had won the cliff-hanger tussle.
Such was the resilience and tension-filled affair that punctuated the Diamond Jubilee edition of the “World Toughest Rally”. Thousands of spectators who turned up at the Marble Quarries in Kajiado and later at the KICC were treated to some exhilarating and hair-raising displays.
With mechanical gremlins taking toll on Day One’s overnight leader Alastair Cavenagh on Saturday, the mad rush for Safari accolades was palpable as it pitted Tundo against 1994 WRC Safari Rally winner Duncan. Cavenagh was leading by 54 seconds after stage 3 having set fastest stage times on every stage of the event then on stage 4 a rim split that forced him and his co-driver Gavin Laurence to change the puncture. “I knew we had lost the rally and thereafter I failed to pay due attention; hit a big ditch too fast and put fan through radiator. Obviously, I am destined never to win the Safari,” said Cavenagh.
Zambian Mohammed Essa and his Zimbabwean navigator Greg Stead savored a career best fourth place Safari finish which wasn’t that bad for his ARC series aspirations. The feat came with a bonus in that it was also a great improvement from his Safari debut in 2008 when he wrapped up his campaign in eighth.
FINAL RESULTS
1. Carl Tundo / Tim Jessop (EVO9) 2:50:05 2. Ian Duncan / Amaar Slatch (EVO9) 2:50:20 3. Quentin Mitchell / Chris Davis (Subaru N16) 3:04:44 4. Mohammed Essa-ZAM / Greg Stead-ZIM (Subaru N12) 3:13:04 5. Peter Horsey / Bella Erskine (EVOX) 3.18.11 6. Jaspreet Singh Chatthe / Gugu Panesar (EVO9) 3.23.53 7. Izhar Mirza / Zahir Shah (EVO9) 3.24.05 8. Azar Anwar / Julius Ngige (EVO8) 3.31.00 9. Don Smith / Bob Kaugi (Subaru) 3.33.31 10. Maveer Baryan / Dennis Giraudet (Subaru N16) 3.33.43 11. Ghalib Hajee / Bharat Pattni (Mitsubishi EVOX) 3.35.34 12. Anwar Pandya/Ken Masoni (Subaru N10) 3.47.05 13. Farhaaz Khan/Keith Henrie (Subaru) 3.57.2314 14. Arkif Virani/Arhaz Bhatti (Subaru) 3.58.07 15. Harpreet Sagoo/H. Dhanjal (Subaru N10) 4.07.41 16. Sudesh Hirani/Adnan Din (Subaru) 4.10.12
CARL TUNDO TAKES LEADS AS FLASH FLOODS STOP DAY TWO PROCEEDINGS By Samson Ateka – Nairobi Saturday 9th June 2012 – 20h30
Defending Champion Carl ‘Flash’ Tundo was back in the groove as flash floods halted Day Two proceedings in Kajiado region. Tundo went to bed with a 53seconds cushion from 1994 WRC Safari Rally winner Ian Duncan, who returned his Mitsubishi EVO9 in 1.38.31hours following the cancellation of the energy- sapping 87kilometer CS4 stage running all the way from Parane to Il-Bissel. Tundo- who has three Safari scalps under his belt -kept his fingers crossed praying that lady luck smiles on him again.
The two times Kenya Champion had his campaign effectively sewn up when his Dalbit Petroleum teammate Alastair Cavenagh ran into mechanical gremlins. Cavenagh, who was the Day 1 overnight leader, drove his EVO9 contraption like a man possessed and cleared the ground with all and sundry.
Tundo was all smiles: “It is really tough- quite a rough 87 kilometers and several other little things that can catch you out. We’ll see how it goes tomorrow (today) but the rally gods need to be with us again.”
ARC Leader is Mohammed Essa from Zambia in 7th Overall position
Generally speaking, the 60th KCB Safari Rally 2012 lived up to its billingas the “World’s Toughest Rally” when heavy rains pounded Day Two’s last stage. Clerk of the course, Dali Kalsi explained that they had to cancel CS4 after only 16 cars had made it through. Proceedings nonetheless resume this morning and Kalsi sounded quite optimistic that today’s itinerary would go on as scheduled.
Organizers sighed with relief when it emerged that no 2WD or Supplementary class cars had gone through the demanding 87km section which will be repeated today. But main class cars which had not done the stage before it was cancelled were given a bogey times. All cars were then directed to the Il-Bissel parc ferme in readiness for today’s action.
Kalsi had this to say soon after changes were effected: “We had to cancel the stage because there were about 16 cars which went through and the river was swollen. We had to take precautions- so we decided to give main class competitors (who hadn’t gone through) bogey time. Tomorrow programme should be okay. It was only a flash flood.”
When the 45.57KM Kipeto (CS2) and 51.37KM Ndialongoi (CS3) stages were run in the morning, all was well for most of the crews. But going into the long stage, heavy rains caught many unawares.
Division Two driver Charles Hinga was among the hardest hit by the flash floods. His Mitsubishi EVO7 car was stuck in overflowing river at a lugger crossing of CS4. No cars could go through at that particular moment.
Other drivers Ghalib Hajee and Farhaz Khan were also held up behind Hinga.
Roland Sebaguzi from Uganda was having a fantastic drive to finish Day 1 in 8th overall position but was later excluded by the FIA Stewards for not wearing FIA approved fireproof overalls during Leg1.
“The terrain was really tough. It started raining, and things got cocked up. We couldn’t see anything. Tomorrow we have to try, but it all depends on the weather as well,” said Onkar Rai in his N16 Subaru car.
The challenging terrain claimed quite a number of cars. Stella Macharia and Helen Shiri were out after damaging the sump-guard of their Subaru Impreza. They become the first lady crews to bow out of the rally. Friday’s leader Cavenagh was also out with radiator problems.
The Team Kibos crew of Raaji Bharij and Geoff Mayes also kissed the Safari goodbye. “This is to officially notify the organizers that Car 10 of Raaji Bharij and Geoff Mayes have retired from the 2012 Safari Rally due to mechanical failure! Time cards have been handed in to service in control. Thank you for a well organized event,” said Mayes.
Joe Muchiri’s navigator Riyaz Ismail recounted their Day Two woes: “It was a day full of drama for us. But we finished 12 out of 19 in S class. On Cs2, we lost power in our car and coming through cs3, we hit a donkey damaging the front of the car.”
PROVISIONAL DAY 2 LEADERBOARD 1. Carl Tundo/Tim Jessop (EVO9) 1:37:38 2. Ian Duncan/Amaar Slatch (EVO9)1:38:31 3. Baldev Chager/Raju Sehmi (Subaru N16) 1:39:27 4. Quentin Mitchell/Chris Davis (Subaru N16) 1:44:44 5. Onkar Rai/Raju Chagger (Subaru N16)1:49:50 6. Izhar Mirza/Zahir Shah (EVO9) 1:52:30 7. Mohammed Essa/Greg Stead (ZAM-Subaru N12)1:53:07 8. Jaspreet Chatte / Gurdeep Panesar (Mitsubishi Evo9) 1:59:39 8. P. Horsey/Bella Erskine (EVOX)2:04:29 9. Giancarlo Davite/Sylivia Vindevogel (RWD-Subaru N11)2:05:01
KCB SAFARI RALLY KENYA - 8TH-10TH jUNE 2012 - Leg 1A 18h20
1. Alastair Cavenagh - Mitsubishi Evo 9 - 1:07 2. Peter Horsey - Mitsubishi Evo 10 - 1:08 3. Ian Duncan - Mitsubishi Evo 9 - 1:09 4. Mohammed Essa - Subaru N12 - 1:10 4=Raaji Bharij - Mitsubishi Evo 9 - 1:10 4=Carl Tundo - Mitsubishi Evo 9 - 1:10 7. Baldev Chager - Subaru N16 - 1:11 7=Izhar Mirza - Mitsubishi Evo9 - 1:11 9. Azar Anwar - Mitsubishi Evo 8 - 1:12 9=Roland Sebuguzi - Mitsubishi Evo 9 -1:12 11. Giancarlo Davite - Subaru N10 - 1:13
IMPORTANT RALLY DATE CHANGES Following an announcement of the date for a "census" in Tanzania announced for the 25th September 2012 by the Tanzanian Government the organisers of the Kobil Rally of Tanzania have had to move their rally date by one week to:
31st August - 2nd September 2012 (previous date was 24/26th August 2012)
For the very close proximity of the date of the KCB Rwanda Mountain Gorilla Rally the organisers Rwanda Automobile Club have kindly agreed to move the date of their event to:
21st-23rd September 2012 (previous date was 13/15th September 2012)
Both the date changes have been approved by the FIA Rallies Commission.
Mohammed Essa wins Puma Energy Zambia Rally to extend African championship lead - By Ignatius Mazeko - Lusaka, Sunday 20h30
ZAMBIA’s Mohammed Essa this afternoon scooped the drama-packed Puma Energy Zambia International Rally to open up a 27-point lead in the eight-legged FIA African Rally Championship (ARC).
Essa increases his season tally to 52 points after his triumph in the Puma Energy Zambia International Rally, the third round of this year’s African championship after the Toyota Zimbabwe Challenge and the Sasol Rally South Africa held in March and April respectively.
The 22-year-old Essa, who started the day two minutes 39 seconds down in second position, took the laurels in the very opening stage of the day, SS12, when overnight leader Giancarlo Davite of Rwanda retired his Subaru Impreza N11 after the drive shaft gave up.
Essa timed two hours 55 minutes five seconds in his recently acquired Prodrive-built Madison/ Puma Energy Subaru N12B to win his maiden Zambia International Rally on his sixth outing in this annual rally having come close to victory during the 2009 and 2012 editions.
Muna Singh’s 19-year-old son Jassy put up a gallant fight aboard his father’s Net One Technologies Subaru N10 to finish second with a time of 03:03:31 seconds and was followed by Zimbabwean Jamie Whyte who suffered a 10 minutes penalty for taking a shortcut on stage 12 to finish on 03:10:44 seconds.
Zambian Azim Ticklay grabbed fourth position on 03:31:27 seconds ahead of countrymen Dani Beaini on 03:40:22 seconds and Muna’s 17-year-old son Muna jr. who settled for sixth position on 04:04:48 in his second rally while Massimo Sellicato took seventh place on 04:20:56 seconds.
A delighted Essa said he was pleased by winning the rally and thanked his sponsors Madison Insurance Company Zambia (MGen) and Puma Energy Zambia for the support while Davite, who remains on 22 points, said crashing out was part of the rally.
The Italian-born Davite said he would be heading for the Safari Rally a charged up driver and was optimistic of increasing his points tally in the African championship.
Essa overcame two scares today when the front sump guard of his car was smashed by a rock he landed on and uprooted after taking a jump in the notorious 24.67-km Chartonel SS12 that also claimed Davite, Zambians Paul ‘Poncho’ Monge and Imran Ticklay also aboard Subarus.
Like yesterday, the 2009 and 2010 Zambian champion lost another five minutes in the 14.62-km Bull SS16 when he did almost the entire stage and the full Waterfall 7.45km SS17 on a flat tyre.
Seven drivers finished the rally from 14 starters as Essa, who is contesting full African championship circuit this year, now shifts his attention to the continent’s fourth round, the KCB Safari Rally Kenya set for Nairobi in three weeks time.
Puma Energy Zambia International Rally official final results
Paul Monge retires after SS12 with diff problems. Imran Tickley also retires. BREAKING NEWS -Zambia Rally - Sunday 09h55 Giancarlo Davite retires with a broken driveshaft in SS12. Essa now back in the lead. WOW !!
Get voice interviews from End of Day 2 from Lusaka on - www.irallylive.com .......... By Peter Silberberg
Davite Takes Over Lead From Essa On Day 2 of Puma Energy Zambia International Rally - From Ignatius Mazeko - Lusaka, Saturday 20h00
RWANDESE Giancarlo Davite has taken over the lead from Zambian Mohammed Essa on the drama packed last stage of day two of the 590km Puma Energy Zambia International Rally in Chisamba this afternoon.
Davite wrestled the lead away from Essa who lost five minutes trying to figure out why his Prodrive-built Madison/ Puma Subaru Impreza N12B ceased a few minutes away from the end of the 16.40km Chongera stage 11.
The Rwandese co-driver by compatriot Sylvia Vindevogel in a Subaru N11 takes a two minutes 39 seconds overnight lead going into the last six stages of the rally tomorrow to be run in Silverest, east of the capital Lusaka.
Essa has three stages Chartonel (24.67km), Bull (15.56km) and Waterfall (7.45km) each to be run twice to wipe out Davite’s lead or else and if the order remains unchanged then the Rwandese will go top of the FIA African Rally Championship (ARC) by three points.
The Puma Energy Zambia International Rally is the third round of this year’s legged African champions after the Toyota Zimbabwe Challenge and the Sasol Rally South Africa from where Essa minted 15 points and 12 points respectively to lead the pack by two points.
Davite, who trails Essa by five points in the African race, said he cannot believe that he has a healthy lead away from home and in the rally that he has failed to finish from two previous editions.
“Comfortable lead but still keep concentration for tomorrow. Too glad, I can’t believe it,” Davite said.
Drama started when Essa’s Subaru carrying a comfortable three minute 10 seconds lead stopped about one kilometre from end of the stage for about five minutes after a nut holding cables to the fuel pump came off.
As Essa and his Zimbabwean co-driver Greg Stead were struggling to restart their car, they were overtaken by an identical car driver by Ugandans Jas Mangat and Gihan De Silva who led for about 200 metres.
Unfortunately for the Ugandans, they went on to uproot a rock that in the process broke the front suspension to retired from a second successive rally after their misfortunes in Zimbabwe at the Toyota Challenge two months ago.
Luckily, Essa and Stead who posted fastest time in eight of the 10 stages of day two, managed to start car and finished the stage but with Davite and Vindevogel right behind them thus the crew from Rwanda took a two minute 39 seconds overnight lead.
Zambian champions Paul Monge and Ray Thornicroft in a Steers Subaru N12 finished eight minutes 21 seconds off the pace in third position, 57 seconds quicker than Muna Singh’s 19-year-old son Jassy co-driven by Dave Sihoka who overcame a damaged differential in the morning stages.
Zimbabweans Jamie Whyte and Gareth Dawe lost time in stage eight after their brakes packed up but managed to finish fifth overall at the final stage.
Equally losing time were other Zimbabweans Richard Robinson and Colin Schreiber who dropped to an unfamiliar position, second from bottom.
Robinson and Schreiber lost time in stage six when the sump guard of their Mitsubishi Evo 8 bent and ploughed a portion of Graham Ray farmland while Zambia’s Massimo Sellicato and Fred Wamala, aboard a Toyota Landcruiser, suffered multiple penalties for earliness and lateness to finish rock bottom.
Puma Energy Zambia International Rally update (SS11 - end of day – Davite times 10:28 to win stage by 17 seconds from Whyte)
1. Davite 1:44:09
2. Essa +2:39
3. Monge +8:21
4. Jassy +9:18
5. Whyte +9:22
6. Imran +21:00
7. Beaini +22:34
8. Azim +25:17
9. Muna jr +35:35
10. Robinson +40:45
11. Sellicato +1:00:55
**Retired: Jas Mangat (front suspension SS11), Mohammed Salim (front suspension), Ashish Patel (electrical SS3)
Puma Zambia Rally - UPDATE - Saturday 12th May - 16h30 By Ignatius Mazeko Drama in stage 11. Essa stops Ikm before the end of the stage. Jas Mangat takes the lead but 300 m later hits a jump and breaks a suspension. Daviteabout to come but Essa manages to start his car and get to the Stage finish with Davite right behind him. Davite should be leading now. Wow rally is full of action drama.
Puma Zambia International Rally - End SS9A - Sat 12th May 2012 -15h30 Provisional Results end Stage 9A 1. Mohammed Essa - 1:24:39 2. Giancarlo Davite - 1:26:56 3. Jas Mangat - 1:28:09 4. Jassy Singh - 1:35:20 5. Jamie Whyte - 1:35:43 6. Imran Tickley - 1:44:59 7. Danni Beaini - 1:46:05 8. Azim Tickley - 1:47:38 9. Muna Junior - 1:56:38 10. Richard Robinson - 2:06:06 11.Massimo Sellicato - 2:20:27 Salimu - Retired Ashish - Retired
The Die Is Cast For Puma Energy Zambia International Rally 2012
By Ignatius Mazeko
Lusaka, Friday
THE 590-km Puma Energy Zambia International Rally blasts off this afternoon at the Lusaka Motor Club’s spectacle twisty but fast one-car start 1.54-km super special stage that has year in, year out embarrassed several crews.
The embarrassment on this tricky twice-run stage is bound to continue today as some crews are likely to overshoot and lose ground before the rally proper tomorrow and on Sunday when machines go on real test in Chisamba’s Mutendere area and Silverest respectively.
Fifteen vehicles, led home by the debutant Prodrive-built Madison/Puma Subaru Impreza N12B driven by FIA African Rally Championship (ARC) leaders Mohammed Essa of Zambia and Greg Stead from Zimbabwe, will start this three-day competition at Rally HQ, Hotel InterContinental.
Essa has 27 points and leads the African race by two points from Zimbabwean Jess Watson and Mark Cronje of South Africa who are both not part of this rally expected to be flagged by Sports Minister Chishimba Kambwili and Puma Energy Chairman Jacob Sikazwe at 2pm in Lusaka.
Therefore victory this weekend for Essa, who gets car number one for the first time in the history of the Zambia round of the African championship, will be a morale booster from three rallies going into a further five rallies in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda and Madagascar.
He reiterated in an interview that he is going for nothing less than an outright win and for sure with the competitive 2004 and 2005 African champion Muna Singh not taking part due to financial constraints; Essa at 22 has to carry the heavy burden of representing Zambian effectively.
Four foreign drivers whom Essa was up against in the ARC’s Toyota Zimbabwe Challenge and Sasol Rally South Africa have followed him to his home rally hoping to outdo him, a feat they failed to do achieve in the opening two Harare and later on Nelspruit.
The four are Rwandese Giancarlo Davite (Subaru N11), who is five points behind Essa in fourth position, 2009 and 2010 African champion Jamie Whyte (Subaru N10), his Zimbabwean counterpart Richard Robinson (Mitsubishi Evo 8) and Uganda’s Jas Mangat (Subaru N12), all yet to register points.
Davite’s co-driver Sylvia Vindevogel said she was looking forward to the rally and has warned Essa, who has boosted his service team by hiring Prodrive-trained Zimbabwean Neil Demert, to watch out for the foreign crews.
“Essa be ready we all gonna push you. Rwanda, Zimbabwe, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Zambia......tchouk tchouk, twende she, haraka bwana! Good luck Essa,” Vindevogel said.
Davite, Whyte, Robinson and Mangat are all highly experienced, quick and aggressive drivers with proven track records and they will no doubt give Essa, who is set to start car number one on the road sweeping the way for his rivals, a good run for his money over the next three days.
The margins today will be in seconds of single digits for obvious reasons that the stage is too short for crews to hand each wide leads although anything is possible going by the anxiety and determination of the faces of all the 15 crews.
In the local championship, Muna’s eldest son Jassy will, just like Essa in the African championship, hope to extend his lead after winning the season opener, the Poncho Fringilla Rally about four weeks ago.
Driving Muna’s Subaru N10, Jassy will however have a daunting task with the return of national champion Paul ‘Poncho’ Monge who missed his own rally because his Subaru N12 was at the time in transit to Nelspruit for the Sasol Rally after it was hired by Essa for Zimbabwe and South Africa.
Salim Mohammed returns to action with a locally built Subaru after rolling his Subaru N10 badly during the Poncho Fringilla Rally while Mujo Simakoloyi will make a debut in a Toyota Corolla with Ashish Patel counting on another good finish after taking second position behind Jassy.
Jassy’s younger brother Muna jr. steps into his sibling’s VW Golf 3 with his aunt and seasoned co-driver Tinky Naidu calling the notes. Azim Ticklay, Dani Beaini and Massimo Sellicato all driving Toyota Landcruisers complete the list of 11 Zambian drivers competing in the rally against four foreign crews.
The first vehicle goes on the ramp at Hotel InterContinental at 2pm and will be followed three minutes later by the second competitor and the sequence will follow in that order heading to the Lusaka Motor Club in the Showgrounds for super special stage expected to be watched by a capacity crowd.
The rally will be witnessed by a high powered delegation from the FIA led by world motorsport governing body’s rally commission vice-president Jonathan Ashman from the United Kingdom who is playing the role of Steward.
Mark Cronje and Robin Houghton from South Africa fly their Ford Fiesta S2000 rally car to victory in the Sasol Rally – Round 2 of the 2012 FIA African Rally Championship
23 year old Mohammed Essa from Zambia in action to take the lead of the ARC series so far. He is navigated by Greg Stead from Zimbabwe.
Giancarlo Davite and Sylvia Vindevogel from Rwanda in action during the Sasol Rally South Africa.
SASOL RALLY REPORT FINAL - Saturday 21st April 2012 - 20h00
Sasol Ford’s Cronje and Robin Houghton win Sasol Rally
Mark Cronje and Robin Houghton (Sasol Ford Fiesta) continued their good form in the South African Rally Championship when they followed up their recent win in the opening round in KwaZulu-Natal with victory in the Sasol Rally, which ended in Nelspruit in the Mpumalanga Lowveld on this afternoon.
It was a hard-fought win for the current championship leaders, who were involved in a titanic battle with Johnny Gemmell and Carolyn Swan (Castrol Team Toyota Auris) throughout the two day 600-kilometre event, just as they were in the KZN rally.
Gemmell and Swan led Cronje and Houghton by 14,3 seconds at the end of Friday’s six special stages, with each winning two stages during the day. Cronje chased down his arch rival until just 0,8 seconds separated the Toyota from the Ford at the end of stage 11. Gemmell responded on the 16-kilometre stage 12 by increasing his lead to 3,4 seconds.
Stage 13 was the last of the recognized gravel racing stages before the final ceremonial stage over just 500 metres in the Lowveld Showgrounds arena and it was clear that whoever won this stage would likely win the rally. Both crews, who were in a class of their own throughout the weekend, put in a supreme effort and it was Cronje and Houghton who took the honours, 5,2 seconds ahead of Gemmell and Swan to clinch their second successive rally victory by the slim margin of 3,1 seconds. Cronje won four of Saturday’s stages with Gemmell taking the honours in two.
Gemmell was to rue two slow punctures at the end of stages two and nine, while Cronje did well to overcome a 20-second penalty at the end of day one, as a result of clocking in late at the final control after damaging his Ford’s sub-frame. This cost him the lead at the end of the day.
A distant third overall were Dutch driver Hans Weijs Jnr and Belgian co-driver Bjorn Degandt (BP Volkswagen Polo), who had their best outing so far in their first year in the SA championship, finishing 1 min 37,4 sec behind the winners. Fourth was the Basil Reed Ford Fiesta of multiple former champions Jan Habig and Robert Paisley, who were a further 29 seconds in arrears. They in turn were 1 min 11,4 sec ahead of fifth-placed Jon Williams and Cobus Vrey in a second Sasol Ford Fiesta.
Sixth overall and first in the S2000 Challenge category for older spec four-wheel drive cars were Gugu Zulu and Carl Peskin (BP VW Polo), who delivered their best performance yet in their first year in the top class of rallying. Second in the challenge and ninth overall were 17-year-old Henk Lategan and Barry White (Q8 Oils VW Polo), ahead of Werner Koekemoer and Etienne Lourens (Toyota RunX), who finished 12th overall.
Making up the top 10 overall were Jean-Pierre Damseaux and Grant Martin (Team Total Toyota Auris) in eighth place and Japie van Niekerk and Gerhard Snyman (New Africa Developments VW Polo) in 10th place.
Punctures on the rocky roads in the York Timbers forests in the Sabie, Graskop, and Hendriksdal areas took their toll of the 40-strong field, with several top crews among those who lost time completing stages on flat wheels or forced to stop in a stage to change a wheel.
Among these were last year’s winners Leeroy Poulter and Elvene Coetzee (Castrol Team Toyota), who lost nearly four minutes on stage three on Friday and lost more time in stage 11 on Saturday. They eventually finished 11th, 8 min 37 sec behind the winners.
Former champions Hergen Fekken and Pierre Arries (BP VW Polo) recovered well from a puncture delay in stage one on Friday to climb steadily through the field to finish seventh overall, 4 min 34 sec in arrears.
Among notable retirements in the premier S2000 class were former champions Enzo Kuun and Guy Hodgson, who had the misfortune to suffer a flat battery within kilometres of the final stage in Nelspruit. They, too, had been delayed by a puncture on stage 3 on Friday and had started Saturday’s stages in 15th place overall.
The S1600 class and the Two Wheel Drive Championship category was won by Morne van Rensburg and Rikus Fourie (VW Polo), who were somewhat surprised to find themselves in the lead after starting the final day in fifth place. Overnight leaders Ashley Haigh-Smith and Craig Parry (Castrol Ford Fiesta R2) dominated the class until losing six minutes with a flat wheel on stage 9. This dropped them to second behind Guy Botterill and Simon Vacy-Lyle (Yato Tools Toyota RunX). They regained the lead when Botterill retired with a dropped valve in the Toyota’s engine only to retire themselves with a broken driveshaft.
Also casualties in the two wheel drive class were former champion Craig Trott and Robbie Coetzee (Team Total Toyota RunX), who dropped out of third place on Saturday with a broken driveshaft. Nic van der Westhuizen and Henry Dearlove (SA Earthworks Ford Fiesta R2) had been third at the end of the first day, only to retire with a broken oil cooler on Saturday’s first stage.
The second round of the FIA African Rally Championship, which ran in conjunction with the second round of the SA championship and was won by Cronje and Houghton from Habig and Paisley with Williams and Vrey third overall. The leading visiting crew of Mohammed Essa of Zambia and Greg Stead of Zimbabwe (Subaru Impreza WRX) finished fourth ahead of fellow visitors Giancarlo Davite and Sylvia Vindevogel, also in a Subaru Impreza. Essa was 13th overall in the SA championship event, one place ahead of Davite.
NEWSFLASH -Sasol Rally finish Mark Cronje wins in last stage upset. 1. Mark Cronje 2:12:18.1 2. John Gemmel +2.8 3. Hans Weijs +1:36.3 4. Jan Habig +2:05.8 5. Jon Williams +3:18.0 6. Gugu Zulu +4:29.4 7. Hergen Fekken +4:33.9 8. JP Damseaux 4:39.5 9. Henrik Van Neirk +4:53.4
Sasol Rally - Saturday 21st April 2012 - Update after SS12 1. Johnny Gemmel 1:59.12.4 2. Mark Cronje + 3.4 3. Hans Weijs +1:22.0 4. Jan Habig +1:54.5 5. Jon Williams +3:02.3 6. Gugu Zulu +4:06.2 7. Jean-Pierre Damseaux +4:17.5 8. Hergen Fekken +4:21.0 9. Japie Van Nierek +4:29.3 SASOL RALLY - Friday 20th April 2012 - End of Day 1 report
Castrol Team Toyota’s Gemmell and Swan lead Sasol Rally after day one
The 21st Sasol Rally got off to a great start for Castrol Team Toyota when Johnny Gemmell and Carolyn Swan led in their Toyota Auris at the end of the first day after 109 kilometres of timed racing in the York Timbers forests around the Mpumalanga Lowveld towns of Graskop and Sabie.
They finished 14,3 seconds ahead of the Sasol Ford Fiesta pair of Mark Cronje and Robin Houghton. Gemmell and Cronje dominated proceedings all day, just as they did in the Total Rally, with Gemmell winning stages one and three (a fast and stony 29-kilometre tester that was repeated) and Cronje winning stages two and four (a 24-kilometre stage repeated).
Cronje actually completed the six stages 5,7 seconds ahead of Gemmell, but was penalised 20 seconds for clocking in two minutes late at the final control as a result of damage to the Ford sustained in the final stage.
Third overall was the BP Volkswagen Polo of Dutch driver Hans Weijs Jnr and Belgian co-driver Bjorn Degandt, who impressed by arriving at the final control in White River 42,9 seconds behind the leaders in only their second rally on South African soil.
Veteran Jan Habig, multiple former national champion, who this year switched from the factory VW team to the privateer Basil Read Ford Fiesta team with former co-driver champion Robert Paisley, was an impressive fourth, 42 seconds behind Weijs and Degandt and 48 seconds ahead of the second Sasol Ford of Jon Williams and Cobus Vrey. Williams and Vrey won the day’s penultimate stage, a one-kilometre night-time dash in front of thousands of excited spectators in the streets of Sabie.
Sixth was the semi-works pair of Japie van Niekerk and Gerhard Snyman (New Africa Developments VW Polo) 2 min 16,3 seconds behind the leaders. They were the winners of the final, one-kilometre stage through the streets of White River, also packed with thousands of appreciative fans standing shoulder to shoulder in the dark around the one-kilometre route.
Gugu Zulu and Carl Peskin (BP VW Polo) finished seventh overall and first in the S2000 Challenge for older-spec cars (all the cars ahead of him were in the premier S2000 class for four-wheel drive machines). Eighth was the Team Total Toyota Auris of Jean-Pierre Damseaux and Grant Martin, 15,3 seconds ahead of the second finisher in the S2000 Challenge, 17-year-old Henk Lategan and Barry White (Q8 Oils VW Polo). Third were the brothers Stassen, Joos and Danie, in a Subaru Impreza WRX, who finished 17th overall.
Making up the top 10 was the BP VW Polo of former champions Hergen Fekken and Pierre Arries, who finished 3 min 25 sec behind the leaders and a minute ahead of Leeroy Poulter and Elvene Coetzee in the second Castrol Team Toyota Auris. Poulter’s deficit was 4 min 29 sec. Both were delayed by punctures, Fekken for two minutes on stage one and Poulter for three and a half minutes on stage three.
The second round of the FIA African Rally Championship is running in conjunction with the second round of the SA championship and includes two visiting crews as well as six SA crews. Leading after day one are Cronje and Houghton (Ford) by 1 min 4,9 sec from Habig/Paisley (Ford) and 1min 53,3 sec ahead of Williams/Vrey (Ford). Zambian Mohammed Essa and Zimbabwean Greg Stead (Subaru Impreza WRX) and Ruwandans Giancarlo Davite and Sylvia Vindevogel (Subaru Impreza WRX) are fourth and sixth respectively, sandwiching the class S1600 Castrol Ford Fiesta R of Ashley Haigh-Smith and Craig Parry, who lead the Two Wheel Drive Championship category.
Second in S1600, 2 min 41 sec behind the leaders, were Guy Botterill and Simon Vacy-Lyle (Yato Tools Toyota RunX). Third were Nic van der Westhuizen and Henry Dearlove (SA Earthworks Ford Fiesta R2).
Tomorrow’s action starts in Nelspruit at 07.00 and ends at the Lowveld Showgrounds in Nelspruit after 16.00.
ARC positions after Day 1: 1. Mark Cronje 2. Jan Habig 3. Jon Williams 4. Mohammed Essa 5. Andy Haigh Smith 6. Giancarlo Davite
SASOL RALLY REPORT - Friday 20th April 2012 - 19h10
Spectators on the Sasol Rally treated to world class action
The Sasol Rally, round two of the South African and FIA African Rally Championships, attracted a big entry of 40 competitors including teams from Zimbabwe and Ruwanda. The rally, which will be held over a route of some 200 kilometres consisting of 14 timed special stages in the forests around the Mpumalanga Lowveld towns of Sabie, Graskop, White River and Nelspruit, started in Sabie this morning and ends in Nelspruit tomorrow afternoon
After the first four special stage of the day the Sasol Ford Fiesta pair of Mark Cronje and Robin Houghton held a narrow lead of the Castrol Team Toyota Auris pairing of Johnny Gemmell and Carolyn Swan.
A mere 13.2 seconds separated the top two teams at the second service park of the day.
Dutch driver Hans Weijs and Belgium co-driver Bjorn Degandt in the BP Volkswagen Polo were 42.3 seconds behind the leaders while Jan Habig and Robert Paisley moved up into fourth place only 49 seconds behind the VW pair and 1.31.4 seconds behind the leaders.
Fifth overall is the second Sasol Ford Fiesta of John Williams and Cobus Vrey two minutes 23 seconds behind the leaders. Sixth is the New African Developments VW Polo pairing of Japie van Niekerk and Gerhard Snyman two minutes 29.5 seconds in arrears.
Jean Pierre Damseaux and Grant Martin Castrol Team Toyota Auris are seventh - two minutes 47.9 seconds behind, Making up the top 10 are Hergen Fekken and Pierre Arries in a BP Volkswagen Polo three minutes 38.8 seconds behind the leaders after a flat rear wheel lost them over ten minutes in stage one, Leeroy Poulter / Elvéne Coetzee (Castrol Team Toyota Auris) plus four minutes 41.6 seconds, lost three minutes 38 seconds with a puncture on stage three, and Enzo Kuun and Guy Hodgson (BP Volkswagen Polo) plus four minutes 41.6 seconds.
Among the retirements are Hein Lategan and Johan v.d. Merwe SAC Peugeot 207 who were forced to retire when the sub frame bolt came loose.
Leading the S2000 Challenge for earlier speced S2000 cars is the BP Volkswagen Polo of Gugu Zulu/Carl Peskin who are eighth overall . Second in the S2000 Challenge and ninth overall is Henk Lategan/Barry White Q8 Oils Volkswagen Polo who have had a clean run so far. Third are Werner Koekemoer / Etienne Lourens (Toyota RunX). .
Namibian Wilro Dippenaar and Morne du Toit (Toyota RunX) broke a gearbox on the open section from stage four to the service area while leading the S2000 Challenge and are out of the rally.
Ashley Haigh-Smith and Craig Parry Castrol Ford Fiesta R, after a trouble free run are currently leading Class S1600 , followed by Guy Botterill and Simon Vacy-Lyle (Yato Tools Toyota RunX), with Nic vd Westhuizen/ Henry Dearlove (SA Earthworks Ford Fiesta R) third. Fourth are Morne J van Rensburg and Rikus Fourie (VW Polo). Craig Trott and Robbie Coetzee (Team Total Toyota RunX) round out the top five. Trott and Coetzee lost one and a half minutes after having to drive the last 12 kilometres on flat wheel.
Ahead of the surviving competitors lie two short tarmac stages in Sabie and Whiteriver which traditionally draws thousands of excited fans who throng the pavements of the two Lowveld towns.
Mark Cronje and Robin Houghton early leaders on Sasol Rally
This year’s Sasol Rally, the second round of both the South African Rally Championship and the FIA African Rally Championship got off to a blistering start in Sabie this morning.
After just two of today’s four gravel stages Mark Cronje and Robin Houghton (Sasol Ford Fiesta) are a scant 8.1 seconds ahead of Castrol Team Toyota Auris pairing Johnny Gemmell / Carolyn Swan. Gemmell lost almost 8 seconds with a slow puncture towards the end of special stage two. Having a good run in only their second event on South African soil are the BP Volkswagen pair of Hans Weijs/Bjorn Degandt who are 17.4 seconds behind the leaders. A further 23 seconds back is the second of the factory Toyotas of Leeroy Poulter and Elvéne Coetzee. Enzo Kuun and Guy Hodgson (BP Volkswagen Polo) are fifth just one second behind Poulter/Coetzee.
Punctures delayed Charl Wilken and Greg Godrich in the Basil Read Ford Fiesta and Hergen Fekken/ Pierre Arries in another BP Volkswagen Polo on stage one and John Williams/ Cobus Vrey (Sasol Ford Fiesta) on stage two.
The Team Total Toyota Auris of Mohammed Moosa and Andre Vermeulen were able to continue after rolling in special stage one.
Leading the S1600 class for two wheel driver cars are Ashley Haigh-Smith and Craig Parry (Castrol Ford Fiesta) one minute 27.7 seconds behind Guy Botterill / Simon Vacy-Lyle (Yato Tools Toyota RunX). Former champion Craig Trott/Robbie Coetzee in the Team Total Toyota Run X is third at this stage two minutes 17.2 seconds behind the leaders.
The two international competitors in the African Rally Championship which is being run in conjunction with the SA round started 18th and 19th on the road and are both running strongly. Mohammed Essa of Zambia and Greg Stead of Zimbabwe (Subaru Impreza WRX) are lying 16th and Giancarlo Davite/ Sylvia Vindevogel of Ruwanda (Subaru Impreza WRX) are 18th.
The always popular Sasol Rally has again attracted thousands of spectators along the route who are enjoying the high-speed racing over the fast gravel road in warm and sunny conditions.
Ends
First ever husband/wife team to ever win an ARC rally Jess and Sasha Watson on the finish podium with their trophy. They were driving a Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 10 rally car. Photo by: Dean Mac
Jess Watson navigated by his wife Sasha driving a Mitsubishi Evo 10 are leading the Zimbabwe Rally after the Day 2 on Saturday by 2 minute 20seconds from Craig Green and Michael Exton.
JESS & SASHA WATSON WIN THE 2012 TOYOTA ZIMBABWE CHALLENGE RALLY
Jess and Sasha Watson from Zimbabwe made history yesterday when they became the first ever husband and wife team winners of an FIA African Rally Championship event when they drove their Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 10 over the finish ramp at the Cresta Lodge in Harare Zimbabwe.
The Watson’s lead the rally from start to finish and finished with an overall time of 2:40:17 with a large margin of 7:15 ahead of the second place. Second was also Zimbabwean drivers Craig Green and Mike Exton in a Mitsubishi Evo 8.
Third and ARC title contenders Zambian Mohammed Essa and Zimbabwean Greg Stead in a Subaru Impreza N10. Forth place was Rwandan entry of Giancarlo Davite and Burundian Sylvia Vindevogel also in a Subaru Impreza. There were also 3 finishers in Group S to make it 7 finishers from the 16 starters on Friday afternoon.
Notable retirements were 2011 ARC Champions Jammie Whyte and Dawe Gareth with an engine failure. Also suffering engine problems were Richard Robinson and Big Chitma. The only Ugandan entry Jas Mangat retired when his car did not start in the morning of Day 2 and this was frustrating traced to a small fuse link that had blown.
MANUFACTURERS CUP 2012 – After Zimbabwe - Round 1 1. Mitsubishi 25 points 4. Subaru 15 points
Saturday 17th March 2012 -19h50
JESS AND SASHA WATSON LEAD DAY 2 OF THE 50TH TOYOTA ZIMBABWE CHALLENGE RALLY
Husband and wife team of Jess and Sasha Watson from Zimbabwe driving a Mitsubishi Evo10 are leading the 2012 Toyota Zimbabwe Challenge Rally by 2:30 from Craig Green and Mike Exton in Mitsubishi Evo8.
Zambian Mohammed Essa navigated by Zimbabwean Greg Stead are in 3rd place a further 1:50 behind. In forth is Rwanda crews Giancarlo Davite and Sylvia Vindevogel.
Leading retirements were current Champions Jammie Whyte and Gareth Dawe and Ugandan Crews Jas Mangat and Gihan DeSilva whose car did not restart in the morning.
Results End of Day 2 on Saturday: 1. Jess Watson / Sasha Watson ZIM Mitsubishi Evo10 - 1:27:31 2. Craig Green / Michael Exton ZIM Mitsubishi Evo8 - 1: 33:47 3. Mohammed Essa / Greg Stead ZAM/ZIM Subaru N10- 1:38:55 4. Giancarlo Davite / Sylvia Vindevogel RWA Subaru N10 - 1:39:56 5. Rowan Whyte / Craig Archenoul ZIM Subaru - 1:44:45
16th - 18th March, 2012
OFFICIAL START LIST DAY 1 (TC OA)
Car No
Driver Co-Driver
Nat.
ARC
Group / Class
Vehicle
START TIME
*
1
WHYTE JAMES DAWE GARETH
ZW ZW
N4 / 3
SUBARU IMPREZA
14:00:00
2
ATTWELL CHASE SKINNER MILES
ZW ZW
S2000 / 2
TOYOTA AURIS
14:01:00
3
ESSA MOHAMMED STEAD GREG
Z ZW
N4 / 3
SUBARU IMPREZA
14:02:00
4
GREEN CRAIG EXTON MICHEAL
ZW ZW
N4 / 3
MITSUBISHI EVO 8
14:03:00
5
DAVITE GIANCARLO VINDEVOGEL SYLVIA
RW RW
N4 / 3
SUBARU IMPREZA
14:04:00
6
ROBINSON RICHARD SCHREIBER COLIN
ZW ZW
N4 / 3
MITSUBISHI EVO 8
14:05:00
7
MANGAT JAS DE SILVA GIHAN
EAU EAU
N4 / 3
SUBARU IMPREZA
14:06:00
8
WATSON JESS WATSON SASHA
ZW ZW
N4 / 3
MITSUBISHI EVO 10
14:07:00
9
CHITIMA BIG CHAMUNOKARA AMOS
ZW ZW
S
SUBARU IMPREZA
14:08:00
12
WHYTE ROWAN ARCHENOUL CRAIG
ZW ZW
S
SURARU WRX
14:09:00
#
14
PARSELL RONALD EBRAHIM BRONWYN
ZW ZW
S
SUBARU WRX
14:10:00
15
YORKE MICHELLE MURTON STEPHEN
ZW ZW
S
MITSUBISHI EVO 4
14:11:00
16
MARUFU LAUREEN THORNICROFT MALCOLM
ZW ZW
S
TOYOTA
14:12:00
17
PILUSA PIETER CHITEPO CHEORGE
ZA ZW
S
NISSAN 140 GX
14:13:00
18
CARR TYRONE ASHDOWN CLINT
ZW ZW
S
TOYOTA COROLLA
14:14:00
*
PRIORITY DRIVER
2011 ARC Rally Champions Conrad Rautenbach and Nicolas Klinger receiving their awards at the FIA Prizegiving Gala held in New Dehli India on 9th December 2011.
