Reigning Africa Rally Championship leader Jas Mangat took a big step in maintaining the lead at the top after sweeping day one of the Rwanda Mt. Gorilla Rally on Friday.
The Ugandan rally ace cruising a Mitsubishi Evo 10 drove the 4.6km Super Special Stage at Gahanga Quarry in 2mins and 45 seconds seven seconds ahead Zambian Jassy Singh who clocked 0:2:52 in a Subaru N10.
Rwanda’s national champion Giancarlo Davite came third after completing the two runs in three minutes and one second.
Last year’s Mt. Gorilla Rally winner, Elefter Mitraros, came fourth after completing the two runs in three minutes and two seconds.
Ugandans Christakis Fitidis (3.05), Fred Wampamba (3.12), Abdu Sempebwa (3.28) and Ismail Otega (3.39) clinched fifth, seventh, ninth and tenth position respectively.
The real battle is expected on Saturday when drivers compete in six competitive sections totaling 174.6 kilometers with 171.9 kilometres of road sections in Mukoto.
Davite (Subaru Impreza N10) will be flagged off first, followed by Mangat (Mitsubishi Evo 10), Jassy Singh (Zambia, Subaru N10), Fitidis (Subaru Impreza N12), Claude Kwizera (Subaru Impreza N10), Elefter Mitraros (Subaru Impreza N12), Abdu Sempebwa (Subaru N12) and Fred Wampamba (Subaru Impreza N12) in that particular order.
Full Day One Results:
1. Jas Mangat (Uga) 2:45
2. Jassy Singh (Zmb) 2:52
3. Giancarlo Davite (Rwa) 3:01
4. Elefter Mitraros (Rwa) 3:02
5. Christakis Fitidis (Uga) 3:05
6. Claude Kwizera (Rwa) 3:08
7. Fred Wapamba (Uga) 3:02
8. Mohamed Roshanali (Bur) 3:19
9. Abdu Sempebwa (Uga) 3:28
10. Ismail Otega (Uga) 3:39
11. Patrick Kwizera (Rwa) 3:48
12. Jean Claude Gakwaya (Rwa) 3 :50
13. Mayaka Felekani (Rwa) 3 :52
14. Janvier Mutuga (Rwa) 4 :03
15. Seif Muselem (Rwa) 4:38
16. Ange Cyatangabo (Rwa) 4:50
17. Abbas Bukenya (Uga) 5:36
