ZAMBIA's rally driver Mohamed Essa lived to expectations when he won the Puma Energy Rally of Tanzania that ended at the Atlantis Hotel in Dar es Salaam.

The winner was navigated by Greg Stead in their Subaru Imprezza that won accolades from fans and spectators. The Zambian endured a torrid moment as he was closely followed by Tasmanian Dharam Pandya who finished runner- up in the event that attracted a total of 20 cars.

Essa excelled in most of the ten competitive sections in the 400 plus kilometres rally staged in Dar es Salaam and Coast region route. There was a huge crowd at the Atlantis Hotel both during the starting and closing ceremonies. The event finished without any bruises to the competitors.

In the African championship category Essa was followed by Rwandan Giancarlo Davite in their Subaru Impreza as well and he was navigated by the only lady in the event, Sylvia Vindegoel from Rwanda. While Essa won the Tanzania leg of the African championship, Dharam Pandya excelled among the home-based drivers to dominate the national championship race with staggering 90 points.

The Dar es Salaam young man beat his father Kirit who was also in the race but in combination their Flight Link teams won accolades from enthusiastic fans. Dharam was navigated by his uncle Sanjeev Pandya as Kirit had Awadh Bafadhil on the navigation side.

After the Flightlink team of the Pandyas, Arusha Motor Sports club driver Marco Ferreira and Ratanveer Darbar came third as Fayaz Chandu and Hetul Premjit were fourth in the standings.