By Douglas Mazune
in Masaka

NRC standings:
P.Lakataka 100 points
R.Sebuguzi 75
F.Tezikuba 60

FORMER national champion Ponsiano Lwakataka took a first step to reclaiming the title in the Masaka Challenge rally that saw the only woman in the race crash out 300m to the finish.

Susan Muwonge crashed out of the second section yesterday as she battled for a third position finish with Faisal Tezikuba.

Muwonge hit a hump and the car overturned thrice. Her husband Lawrence Muwonge was among the spectators at the flying finish and dashed to save his wife.

“Oh, my husband,” Susan cried out as she came out of the wreckage.

Muwonge’s navigator, Edmond Kyeyune emerged from the wreckage screaming: “Our car. My God! Our car is finished”.
The crew sustained minor injuries and later showed up at the service park where they talked to other drivers.

Lwakataka edged current champion Ronald Ssebuguzi after an intense duel.
“I have now realised that there's no need to buy a more powerful car. I will only buy a powerful car when stronger opponents come back,” an excited Lwakataka remarked.

The Kyotera-based driver, who started the second leg nine seconds behind Ssebuguzi, won the first section to take a 13-second lead.

He stretched the lead to 35 seconds before Ssebuguzi swept two sections in succession to slice Lwakataka’s lead to six.

The former champion went into the ultimate 36-km section just six seconds ahead before stretching his lead by one minute and 30 seconds to snatch victory.
Tezikuba claimed third place, 14 minutes back.