Anwar Sidi Rally Bulletin Issue 86

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SEPTEMBER 2012 ⎮ ISSUE NO. 86

n Welcome to Rwanda n Messages n The Rally Route n Sky’s the Limit for Giancarlo & Sylvia n Mohammed Essa and Greg Stead, 2012 FIA African Rally Champions n Safari Rally Legend Passes Away

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Welcome to

Message from Maurice K. Toroitich, MD, KCB Rwanda

RWANDA W

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“The land of a Thousand Hills”, Rwanda is a green undulating landscape of hills, gardens and tea plantations. It offers tourists a one of a kind journey - home to one third of the world remaining Mountain Gorillas, one third of Africa’s birds species, several species of primates, volcanoes, game reserve, resorts and islands on the expansive lake Kivu, graceful dancers, artistic crafts and friendly people.

Rwanda is a thriving, safe country with one of the lowest crime rates in Africa. All major attractions are located within 1-5 hour drive from the capital, Kigali.

In a short vacation, a tourist can reach volcanoes, rainforests, savannah, lakes and the beautiful city of Kigali.

Located in the heart of Central and East Africa with easy access to bordering countries of Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi and Democratic Republic of Congo as well as to Kenya, Rwanda is an ideal location for travel within the region for conference tourism. A visit here can easily expand to include many of the great African destinations.

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RWANDA RALLY BULLETIN

e are once again delighted to be the title sponsor for the KCB Rwanda Mountain Gorilla Rally 2012. An event we associated with at the beginning of the Bank’s operations in Rwanda which today marks the fourth consecutive sponsorship since 2009.

Our Sponsorship to the Rwanda Automobile Club demonstrates the Bank’s loyalty to support the motor sport in the Region. KCB is also the title sponsor for the KCB Safari Rally Kenya 2012 which is part of the East African Rally Challenge.

We are indeed pleased to have formed partnerships with the motor sport federations in the region and for the case of Rwanda we are even more encouraged because the motor sport has certainly grown over the past few years. This is clearly seen in the way the Rwanda Automobile Club conducts its activities as well as by the many other cosponsors it has attracted simply because they have seen its potential.

By partnering with RAC, we support the development of the sport and create an opportunity for Rally fans to benefit from it.

We also seek to ensure that Rally destinations become our own to drive banking through the KCB Iwacu agent banking service which is promoting financial inclusion in all parts of Rwanda.

We therefore create visibility wherever the Rally goes in order to promote awareness amongst the population of Rwanda and attract new customers.

As a special initiative, this year’s Rally activations will be riding on the currently running savings promotion: “BIBA Na KCB”. It is a savings promotion that calls all existing and new customers to save 100,000Rwf and more frequently to enter a draw to win exiting prizes such as the Flat screens, fridges as well as packages to Dubai, a cash prize and a Jeep Haval 5 for the top three winners.

Maurice K. Toroitich The Bank continues to bring in more innovative financial solutions that are tailor-made to exceed customers’ expectations.

We launched a contact centre in the first quarter of the year to provide an avenue for our customers to request for information, channel queries or provide feedback. Our mortgage product has seen over 300 clients access finance to purchase or build a home and we introduced a loan proposition for Agribusiness customers called “Zamuka Muhinzi”.

There is no doubt that each year we strive to make a difference and go from good to great!

Under our CSR activities, the Bank will donate medical insurance to 450 habitants of Ruli, Mushashyi and Muhondo sectors. We will also donate mosquito nets and baby items.

We invite all our customers, members of the media, partners and friends to come and cheer the Rwanda and Regional drivers during this three day event. We can only promise fun!

On behalf of KCB Rwanda Board of Directors, Management, Staff and other KCB Stakeholders, I wish to all participants a fun and exciting KCB Rwanda Mountain Gorilla Rally. May the best driver win! n MAURICE K.TOROITICH Managing Director KCB Bank Rwanda Ltd

ISSUE 86 ⎜ SEPTEMBER

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SPEECH BY CHRISTIAN GAKWAYA, PRESIDENT OF RAC

feel privileged and duty bound to welcome all and sundry to the 2012 edition of the KCB Rwanda Mountain Gorilla Rally. As we prepare to usher in the magnificent roar of turbocharged contraptions, it’s gratifying to take cognizant of the fact that this auspicious occasion marks the 7th and penultimate round of the FIA African Rally Championship 2012.

Ladies and gentlemen, the FIA regional series have been to South Africa, Zimbabwe, Rwanda, Zambia, Kenya, Uganda and now Rwanda before culminating in the island republic of Madagascar.

As a matter of fact, the success and nostalgic moments this event has attained over the past glorious years could hardly come to fruition if it were not for the effort put in by sponsors, the Government of Rwanda, the Municipal Council of Kigali and a group of dedicated people who burnt the midnight oil just to ensure that this setting fulfills FIA standards of racing.

His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Rwanda Dr. Paul Kagame under whose patronage we are, The Ministry of Sports and Culture, Loyal sponsors KCB, Hotel Umubano, etc have continued to offer us invaluable support over the years.

As tourism remains one of the three pillars of Rwanda’s economy, KCB Rwanda Mountain Gorilla Rally plays a pivotal role in the promotion of Sports Tourism which gathers hundreds of consumers per event.

So kindly allow me to take the earliest opportunity to welcome you all to Rwanda as we mark our biggest rally sport event in the country’s motorsports history.

Historically, Rwanda has been most famous for its natural attractions; today this sport (and hopefully soon more entertaining activities) encourages domestic tourism as it takes local fans to places they didn’t know existed in their own country, the Diaspora to rediscover their country and foreigners to be

Christian Gakwaya amazed by this land of a thousand hills.

Ladies and Gentlemen, I wish to urge all spectators to observe all safety precautions and abide by the set of rules laid down by the organizers. I wish to inform you all that the rally sport is a highly dangerous affair; which is why we have taken a leading role in embracing the United Nation’s “Decade for Change”. I take this opportunity to acknowledge spectators for the simple reason that rallying in Rwanda would never have been as exhilarating as it is today.

Rally crews, mechanics, marshals and volunteers have always formed an integral part of this set-up- kudos to you all.

Ladies and gentlemen, The Rwanda Automobile Club has elaborate plans aimed at taking the rally sport in this country to the next level. Training of the rally staff will be one of our major priorities.Last but not least, I take this opportunity to wish all crews an enjoyable and safe racing.

May the best Team win. n Thank you all.

CHRISTIAN GAKWAYA, President of The Rwanda Automobile Club

OFFICIAL ENTRY LIST

NO: COUNTRY DRIVER/CO-DRIVE 1 RWANDA FITIDIS Christakis/NZAMWITA ERIC 2 RWANDA DAVITE Giancarlo/VINDEVOGEL Sylvia EAK MANGAT Jas/DA SILVA Gihan 3 4 RWANDA OLIVIER COSTA / CHRISTOPHE DUQUESNE UGANDA JOHN Consta / GEORGE Semakule 5 RWANDA MITRAROS Elefter/ PAGANIN Paolo 6 7 RWANDA KWIZERA Claude/JULIE VAN HAERT UGANDA MUBILU DUNCAN/MBOGO Bashir 8 9 UGANDA LWAKATAAKA Ponsiano/NSUBUGA Musa MUNGYEREZA Edson/LUWANGULA onald 10 UGANDA TWIZEYIMANA Said/ NSANGA Alain 11 RWANDA 12 RWANDA MAYAKA Felekeni/ MUHETO Diego MURENGEZI Johnny/NKUBITO Egide 13 RWANDA 14 RWANDA CYATANGABO Ange Francois/ NTIRUSHWA Helga Noella KARURE PETER/KIBUKA MILDRED 15 UGANDA 16 UGANDA WAMPAMBA FRED/MOHAMED BALONDEMU Gilbert/MUGAMBWA Anthony 17 UGANDA 18 RWANDA MUTUGA Janvier /UWIMANA JULES GENESE/GENESE 19 UGANDA

ISSUE 86 ⎜ SEPTEMBER

CAR MAKE SUBARU IMPREZA N12 SUBARUIMPREZA N11 SUBARU IMPREZA N12 SUBARU IMPREZA N12 SUBARU IMPREZA N SUBARU IMPREZA N10 SUBARU IMPREZA N10 MITSUBISHI EVO 8 SUBARU IMPREZA N SUBARU IMPREZA N10 MITSUBISHI LANCER EVO 4 MITSUBISHI LANCER EVO 3 SUBARU IMPREZA N4 VW Golf TOYOTA FX TOYOTA CELICA TOYOTA Levin PEUGEOT 205 PEUGEOT 205

<< T H E R O U T E

KCB Rwanda Mountain Gorilla Rally Event Overview The 2012 edition of the KCB Rwanda Mountain Gorilla Rally will be competed over three days.

The rally will cover the picturesque scenery of Rwanda and will take competitors and fans to the east parts of the country. The total distance of the rally will be 600 kms, of which approximately 300 Kms will be competitive.

There are a total of 16 Competitive Sections which will be re-run over the course of the rally, the longest of which will be 25 Kms and the shortest 2,4 Kms. The competitive sections will be run in groups of 2 or 3. The competitive sections will be on gravel roads that are open to the public. However, information will be relayed to the road users to ensure that traffic is kept to a minimum on the days of the event.

Leg 1A Friday September 21st, 2012 After a ceremonial start, the cars will proceed to a Spectator Stage at the Gahanga quarry Grounds near Kigali. The stage which is approximately 2.5 Km in length will be competed over two runs, in reverse seeding order. The circuit is located on the Bugesera road. This circuit is famous for its attraction of a high number of spectators, who have numbered ever 50,000 at one time.

Leg 1B Saturday September 22nd, 2012 The cars, after an overnight rest at the Hotel UMUBANO, will head in the rural area around Kigali the Rwanda capital, towards now known competitive sections situated in approximately of the Kigali town Day 2 Sunday October 23rd, 2012 The cars, after another overnight rest at the Hotel Umubano, will race around the city center by the famous Nyacyonga sections.

Please note that the details of the route will be available in the Supplementary Regulations for the rally, which will be made available soon.

The organisers wish to point out also that the format given above is a draft precise of the Itinerary and is subject to change in case conditions on the ground demand so.

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R A L LY M A P & I T I N E R A RY

SERVICE PARC FERME

REGROUP

CS 1

CS 4-5

SERVICE PARC FERME

CS 7-10

CS 8-11

CS 6-9

SERVICE PARC FERME

>> Start LEG 1A FRIDAY 21 September 2012 TC LOCATION First Car Due Start Parc - PSF GIKONDO 13.55 CEREMONIAL START RALLY 14.30 (Private Sector Federation) TC 0 Start Leg 1A - P.S.F. 15:00 CS1 GAHANGA QUARRY SUPER STAGE 15:43 Parc Fermé IN - PSF GIKONDO 16:51 TC 1D

Start LEG 1B Saturday 22nd September 2012 TC LOCATION First Car Due TC 1E Parc femé OUT - PSF GIKONDO 8:20 TC 1F Service IN 8:23 TC 1G Service OUT 8:33 CS 2 MUHANDA 1 – MUHONDO 1 9:01 TC2A Regroup IN - PSF GIKONDO 10:46 Service OUT 11:21 TC 2C CS 3 MUHANDA 2 – MUHONDO 2 11:49 TC 3A Regroup IN - PSF GIKONDO 13:34 TC 3C Service OUT 14:09 CS 4 MUHANDA 3 - SHYORONGI 1 14:37 TC 4A Regroup IN - PSF GIKONDO 15:42 TC 4C Service OUT 16:17 CS 5 MUHANDA 4 - SHYORONGI 2 16:45 TC 5A TECHNICAL Zone IN 17:50 TC 5C Service OUT 18:38 TC 5D Parc Fermé IN - PSF GIKONDO 18:43 Start LEG 2 23rd September 2012 TC LOCATION First Car Due TC 5E PARC Ferme OUT - PSF GIKONDO 8:30 TC 5F Service IN 8:33 TC 5G Service OUT 8:48 CS 6 NDUBA - KAJEVUBA 9:16 CS 7 RUSASA- RUDOGO 9:39 REMERA - NYACYONGA 10:07 CS 8 TC 8A Regroup IN 10:57 TC 8C Service OUT 11:47 CS 9 NDUBA - KAJEVUBA 12:15 CS 10 RUSASA - RUDOGO 12:38 CS 11 REMERA - NYACYONGA 13:06 TC 11A TECHNICAL Zone IN 13:56 TC 11C Service OUT - Podium PSF GIKONDO 14:09 TC 11D Parc Fermé FINAL - PSF GIKONDO 14:12 Shortest Stage: 2.30km-Quarry Super Stage Longest Stage: 64.50km-Muhandas Total Competitive: 297.50km Total Liason:266.70km Total Distance:584.20km

Past Winners of The Rwanda Mountain Gorilla Rally 2002 (1st Rwanda Mountain Gorilla Rally) Gemmel – Paisley 2003 (2nd Edition of RMGR) Rueda- Botha 2004 (3rd Edition of RMGR) Rudy Canthanede – David Israel 2005 (4th Edition of RMGR) Late Riyaz Kurji – Sayed Kadri 2006 (5th Edition of RMGR) Late Riyaz Kurji –Sayed Kadri 2007 (6th Edition of RMGR) Conrad Rautenbach - Peter Marsh (ZW) 2008 (7th Edition of RMGR) Out of ARC Rudy Canthanede – David Israel 2009 (8th Edition of RMGR) Candidate ARC Giancarlo Davite – Sylvia vindevogel 2010 (9th Edition of RMGR) Rudy Canthanede – David Israel 2011(10th Edition of RMGR) Jean yves 4 ⎜ 2012

RWANDA RALLY BULLETIN

Subaru Impreza Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 6 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 3 Subaru Impreza N10 Subaru Impreza N8 Subaru Impreza N10 Subaru Impreza N11 Subaru Impreza N11 Subaru Impreza N8 Subaru Impreza N11 ISSUE 86 ⎜ SEPTEMBER

<< G I A N C A R L O & S Y L V I A

Sky’s the Limit for Giancarlo & Sylvia

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river Giancarlo Davite (Rwanda) and his female navigator Sylvia Vindevogel (Burundi) joined forces for the first time in 2008.

This was during the ARC Rally in Tanzania where they had entered a Golf GTI but exited the Dar es Salaam-based event in the last stage while lying third overall.

Davite ventured into rally in Rwanda in 2003 and showed glimpses of a driver worth his salt before success started trickling in.A triple Rwanda Rally Championship winner, he possesses an insatiable thirst for success both at home and in the continental arena and is easily one of those to beat in the sport.

Sylvia, on the other hand, formed a formidable combination with Nathalie Cox from 1999 till 2004 and holds the enviable feat of clinching two Rwanda Championship titles!

Their true ARC experience, nonetheless, started in earnest in 2010, with a 2nd overall position just behind the battlehardened Zimbabwean crew of Jamie Whyte and Phil Archnoul.

Their best performances in the ARC that year was winning the KCB Rwanda Mountain Gorilla Rally and being placed second overall at the Tanzania Kobil Rally.

And just to attest what was up his sleeves, Giancarlo also claimed the coveted KCB EARC trophy that year! ARC 2011 started off well with 3rd position in the Championship’s premiere event, the Toyota Zimbabwe Challenge.

After a technically difficult 2011, the

Rwanda team and Umuleti tackled ARC 2012, chasing the legendary Zambian Mohammed Essa.

They ended up 4th in Zimbabwe, behind eventual African champ Mohammed Essa, 14th in South Africa Sasol Rally, again behind Essa and managed to take over the lead in the Zambia Puma Energy Rally, but dropped out due to transmission failure on the tense Day 3 showdown.Sylvia and Giancarlo had a truly brilliant start during the Kenya based KCB Safari Rally but had to park the yellow contraption on Sunday due to front shock failure.

KCB Pearl of Africa Uganda Rally (POAUR) was the next stop for the duo. Their Car (number 102) finished 3rd after “a very though drive” as Sylvia would put it.

Davite and Vindevogel tackled the 2012 Tanzania rally with engine problems but managed to grab the 4th overall ranking and 2nd in the ARC standing. They will be on the charge in the next edition of the ARC Mountain Gorilla Rally. n

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<< C H A M P I O N S

Mohammed Essa and Greg Stead are 2012 FIA African Rally Champions

Photo by Daks Pandya

T

he 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

The full results are: 1. Mohammed ESSA / Greg STEAD (Zambia/Zim) Subaru Impreza 02:01:35 2. Dharam PANDYA / Sanjeev PANDYA (Tanzania) Subaru Impreza 02:07:57 3. Kirit PANDYA / Awadh BAFHADIL (Tanzania) Subaru Impreza 2:11:24 4. Giancarlo DAVITE / Sylvia VINDEVOGEL (Rwanda) Subaru Impreza 2:16:45 5. Fayaz CHANDU / Hetul PREMJIT (Tanzania) Subaru Impreza 2:39:21 6. Marco FERRERIA / Ratanveer DARBAR (Tanzania) Subaru Legacy 2:57:52

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. n

Safari Rally Legend Passes Away

O

ne of Kenya’s greatest motor sporting names, Peter Hughes, 1964 Safari Rally winner, passed away.

One of the best persons to have graced motor sports in Kenya. Won the 1964 East African Safari Rally in a Ford Cortina. He organised

many rallies and at one time headed the Competition Committee of the Automobile Association of Kenya.

Motor Sports was then under the umbrellas of AA of Kenya.

Sidis Rally Bulletin Crew: Story By The Sidi Brothers Photography by: Anwar Sidi Cell: 0722 786 714 Design and Layout: James Chunguli 0722 458 011 Printers: Bizone Copyright: Reproduction of material appearing on The Rally Bulletin in any form is forbidden without prior written permission from the publishers. To quote from any material, please write to us and include the publication date, title of the article, the portion you want to reprint and the purpose for your request. Disclaimer: All advertisements, photos and non commisioned text are taken in good faith and whilst every care is taken in compiling the contents of this magazine, the publisher and the organizers assume no responsibility in effects arising therefrom.

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ISSUE 86 ⎜ SEPTEMBER