Zambia’s Mohammed Essa scooped victory in the Zambia International Rally; the third round of the 2014 Africa Rally championship to move within eight points of reigning leader Gary Chaynes.
Essa beat second placed Kenyan drive Jaspreet Chatthe by two minutes and 38 seconds after clocking 3 hours and 3 seconds in the 472 km race.
It was Essa’s second consecutive victory this season after winning the Sasol Rally of South Africa last month.
Chaynes cruising a Mitsubish EvoX who still tops the standings with 58 points finished third after completing the race in 3.07.47.
Rwanda’s Giancarlo Davite, also in an EvoX, shrugged off an array of problems that included two tyre punctures in the last three stages to finish fifth overall and fourth in the ARC race.
African champion Jassy Singh’s younger brother Muna Singh jr finished in a remarkable fourth place overall behind the wheels of a Subaru N10.
The next event on the ARC calendar will be the Rally of Tanzania scheduled between June 13th and June 15th this year.
Jassy Singh who didn’t register for ARC this year is last year’s winner.
Zambia International Rally Results
1. Mohammed Essa / Gareth Dawe 3:03:00
2. Jaspreet Singh Chatthe / David Sihoka 3:05:38
3. Gary Chaynes / Romain Comas 3:07:47
4. Muna Singh jr 3:15:59
5. Giancarlo Davite / Sylvia Vindevogel 3:21:59
6. Azim Ticklay 3:51:07.
7. Chimanga Biyela 3:55:10
8. Kelvin Mhlanga 4:01:46
9. Farook Ticklay 4:09:02
10. Yazdaan Ticklay 4:20:30
11. Vyon Pinto 4:34:38
12. Jurgen Sauter 4:48:30
ARC Class Results
1. Mohammed Essa (Zambia) 3:03:00
2. Jaspreet Singh Chatthe (Kenya) 3:05:38
3. Gary Chaynes 3:07:47 (Ivory Coast) 3:07:47
4. Giancarlo Davite (Rwanda) 3:21:59
ARC Drivers standings after 3 Rounds:
1. Gary Chaynes (Ivory Coast) 58 points
2. Mohammed Essa (Zambia) 50 points
3. Jaspreet Singh Chatthe (Kenya) 33 points
4. Giancarlo Davite (Rwanda) 27 points
5. Morifere Soumuro (Ivory Coast) 18 points
6. Kenneth Mukosa (Zambia) 12 points
