Team Rwanda Flying High at WRC Safari Rally Kenya Despite Mixed Fortunes

By Mwambazi Lawrence

NAIVASHA — Team Rwanda continues to impress at the demanding Safari Rally Kenya, with Christian Kanangire and co-driver Kevin Mujiji putting in a strong and calculated performance to lead the ARC2 category.

Driving a Subaru Impreza N12, Kanangire has demonstrated both speed and consistency on the punishing Kenyan terrain. The Rwandan crew currently leads the ARC2 class with a cumulative time of 2:26:29, a result that also places them an impressive 20th overall in the rally standings. Their steady run has been one of the highlights for the Rwandan contingent competing in this year’s event.

Hot on his heels is fellow countryman Giancarlo Davite, who is co-driven by Fabrice Nyirindandi in a Subaru Impreza GVB. Davite sits second in the ARC2 category and 21^st  overall after a clean and trouble-free run so far. Like Kanangire, the experienced Rwandan driver has carefully managed the harsh Safari conditions and will be hoping to gain more ground during the grueling marathon stages scheduled for tomorrow.

Rwanda’s presence is also strongly felt through female driver Queen Kalimpinya, who is co-driven by Olivier Ngabo. Kalimpinya was placed in the NRC category after her car failed to qualify for the ARC class, forcing her to begin her rally campaign today alongside the national category crews. Her day was not without drama, however. On her way to the final service of the day, she was involved in a road section accident after colliding with a motorcyclist. Fortunately, the team managed to repair the car in time, and the determined Rwandan driver is expected to continue the rally tomorrow . queen lies 5th in the NRC category.

It was, however, not all good news for the Rwandan team. Driver Gakwaya Jean and co-driver Gakwaya Mugabo suffered an early setback in their Subaru Impreza N12 after they were disqualified from the rally. The crew reportedly followed an incorrect pace note which led them to drive the route in reverse, resulting in their exclusion from the competition.

Despite the setback, Team Rwanda has shown remarkable resilience and competitiveness on the unforgiving Safari terrain. With the notoriously tough marathon stages awaiting the crews tomorrow, the Rwandan drivers will be eager to maintain their momentum as they continue flying their country’s flag high on one of the world’s most demanding rally stages.

About The Author

Mwambazi

Mwambazi Lawrence is pure octane in human form a motorsport writer who doesn’t just watch the action, he straps in and lives it at 200km/h., fearlessly tackling the landscapes of Uganda’s racing circuits. His immersive experiences fuel his storytelling, Lawrence doesn’t just cover motorsport he throws you into the cockpit, makes you feel the boost kick in, and lets you smell the burning rubber. With a keen eye for detail and a love for speed he brings the excitement of motorsport to life, inviting readers to join him on a thrilling journey through the world of motorsport.

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