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Rwanda/Kenya: Rudy Opts Out of Kenya Safari
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The New Times (Kigali)
6 June 2008
Posted to the web 9 June 2008
Bonnie Mugabe
Kigali
Lack of big financial endowment has forced Rwanda's Rudy Cantanhede out of the forthcoming KCB Safari Rally scheduled for June 27-29 in Nairobi, Kenya.
Speaking to Times Sport after winning last weekend's Rwanda Mt. Gorilla international rally, the Belgium born driver noted that his failure to drive in the prestigious event, which is third on the Africa Rally Championship calendar, is a result of lack of sponsorship.
"I don't have sponsors to meet all the requirements of competing in such an event as the Kenya Safari rally," Rudy acknowledged.
Rudy, who is currently sponsored by a Tanzanian transportation company Sunvic however, admitted that the support he gets from Sunvic is not enough to enable him participate in the third leg of the continental championship.
Rudy last participated in the first leg of the African rally championship which was held in Tanzania in February.
He missed the second leg, the KCB Pearl of Africa rally held in Uganda in April due to lack of sponsors.
Despite his Subaru Impreza N11 suffering mechanical problems on the last day of Tanzania rally, Rudy cruised to finish ninth, hence bagging two points. Zambia's Muna Singh won the event.
Meanwhile, Uganda's speed merchants Emma Katto of EMKA Rally Team, Riyaz Kurji and Jas Mangat are among ten foreign drivers who have confirmed participation in the KCB Safari Rally.
Katto unveiled his state-of-the-art Subaru Impreza N14, which bowed out of the KCB Pearl of Africa Rally after a fierce exchange with compatriot Kurji.
These are the drivers Kenyans wouldn't want to engage in a final shootout given their popularity among Kenyan rally fans.
Mangat was lying fourth on his Pearl of Africa home event but was disqualified on the last day due to outside assistance.
Mangat and Navraj Hans from Tanzania will be navigated by Kenyans Kashif Sheikh and Frank Gitau.
Zimbabwean oldies-Jamie Whyte, 48, and Phil Archenoul are at pains to attest that their victory in Kampala was no fluke.
Harare-based Whyte is a seven time Zimbabwean rally champion.
Japanese speedster Hideaki Miyoshi is back in the Safari and will be navigated by Tiens suspensions executive Hakaru Ichino. They have entered the Mitsubishi Evo9 they used in Kampala.
ARC leader and two-time African champion Muna Singh of Zambia teams up with compatriot David Sihoka in a Sunvic-sponsored Impreza.
According to Surinder Thatthi, the Organizing committee chairman has confirmed that no late entries will be allowed at the close of the June 17 deadline.
2008 FIA African Rally Championship
Ranking table
1. Muna Singh (Z) 16
2. James Whyte (ZW) 15
3. Hideaki Miyoshi (J) 11
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10. Rudy Cantanhede (RWA) 2
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