ARC Kobil Rally of Tanzania 2009 results: James Whyte victorious on Rd 1 African Rally Championship

logo69 ARC Kobil Rally of Tanzania 2009 results: James Whyte victorious on Rd 1 African Rally Championship

ARC Rally of Tanzania REVIEW
Rd 1: 20 - 22 February 2009

James Whyte and Phil Archenoul from Zimbabwe are the new Kobil Rally of Tanzania champions, after clinching victory in the opening round of the 2009 African Rally Championsip in Dares-Salaam this past weekend WRITES ABDUL SIDI in Dar-es-Salaam.

It was a dramatic finish when rally leader Emmanuel Katto, who looked set to give the N14 version of the Subaru Impreza N14 its first win in the African continent, failed on the final stages of the last day due to a puncture. Added to this the car’s jack failed, forcing the crew to drive on a flat
tyre to settle for the runner-up position.

Edition 69 Handbrakes & Hairpins: http://www.rallybuzz.com/handbrakes-and-hairpins/H&H-69.pdf

“I am disappointed with the result after many attempts in the new car. We will now work harder to try and do better in the Safari Rally and establish a good footing in the ARC standings,’’ said Kato.

Whtye becomes the fifth different winner of the Rally of Tanzania, celebrating its fifth edition of the ARC series since Riyaz Kurji of Uganda won the first event in 2005. In the Pirelli Rally Star Africa challenge, the eventual winner was Randeep Birdi from Tanzania in his Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VII. Second overall and also a qualifer was Mathieu Adrianjafy from a lesser-fancied rallying nation of Madagascar who could be the driver to watch in Kenya [for the Safari Rally] in April. He has flair and agression to challenge some of the best drivers in the Pirelli series. This was inspite of retiring with an engine failure in the first stage of the Day Two.

Other Pirelli contenders, brothers Alex and Peter Horsey failed in their attempt to qualify for the Pirelli Young Star Drivers Championship finals in Rwanda after mechanical failures in both their new Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX and Evolution VIII machines respectively.

While Kato and Zimbabwe’s James Whyte took centre stage at the top end of the table this weekend, it was the crop of younger drivers on the other end of the log who set the event alight with memorable performances despite failing to reach the end. Zambia’s Mohammed Essa proved a potential winner and looks odds-on to qualify for the Pirelli finals when the series reaches the southern region. Muna Singhof (Zambia), Tanzania’s Hanns Navraj, Giancarlo Davite of Rwanda and Essa Mohamed were the other major casualties of the event after an excellent start to the rally.

FINAL ARC Rally of Tanzania CLASSIFICATION:
01) J. Whyte / P. Archenoul (Subaru Impreza) - 03hr 06m 25s
02) E. Kato / M. Matovu (Subaru Impreza) + 35s
03) O. Costa / J.F. Ruhashyankiko (Subaru Impreza) + 08m 39s
04) L. Verlaque / M. Verlaque (Volkswagen Polo S2000) + 11m 39s
05) R. Birdi / S. Bhatti (Mitsubishi Lancer) + 13m 46s
06) S. Haji / R. Sulieman (Mitsubishi Lancer) + 14m 28s
07) D. Smith / B. Kaugi (Subaru Impreza) + 16m 45s
08) D. Pandya / S. Pandya (Subaru Legacy) + 20m 24s
09) G. Haji / B. Suleiman (Subaru Impreza) + 48m 04s
10) E. Mohamed / D. Milner (Subaru Impreza) + 2hr 57m 18s

Article supplied by EVAN ROTHMAN / HANDBRAKES & HAIRPINS

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