2014 Africa Rally Champion Gary Chaynes has quickly shown intent to reclaim the continental title when he took lead in the first round of the 2016 FIA Africa Rally Championship in Ivory Coast on the weekend.
Navigated by David Israel, Gary maintained his day one lead to post the fastest times of the Bandama Rally.
The pair won 11 out of the 12 stages for his third successive Bandama Rally win.
“Am delighted to have won, we took a lot of driving pleasure throughout. The routes were a bit tricky but it was generally a superb rally,” says Chaynes.
Gary Chaynes and David Israel (L) and Kenya’s Don Smith and Bob Kaugi
The win guaranteed the three-time Ivorian Rally Champion a good start to both his national title.
However, he confessed to Kawowo Sports that his chances of pushing for his second ARC title still hang in balance.
“Am not sure yet, we are looking for ways to finance the budget to take on the rest of the season but for the moment am not certain,” he said.
Marc Molinie/Cedric Molinie came second 12minutes and 4 seconds behind Chaynes while Malherbe Loic/Brion Thierry settled for third.
Meanwhile, Kenya’s Don Smith and Bob Kaugi who are also competing for the ARC championship for the first time finished ninth overall and second on ARC.