Chipper Quits Race

By Douglas MazuneSHELL Rally Team crew of Chipper Adams and Justin Beeyendeza that has been away since July last year yesterday dashed already fading hopes of their return by announcing a suspension of their career.Beeyendeza issued a statement that attributed the suspension of their career to lack of a car and Chipper’s poor health.“An injury to Chipper’s back, as result of a roll in July last year left us struggling to get back to perfect health. The roll also destroyed our famous rally car,” Beeyendeza said.Beeyendeza said that Shell was ready to continue sponsoring the crew but it was unable to utilise the sponsorship due to Chipper’s injury and lack of a car.Highly placed sources told The New Vision in February that the team declined to take Shell’s sh50m sponsorship package because co-sponsors Hima Cement stopped sponsoring drivers. Hima had been relied on to top up the money to get the crew back on the road .Shell also withdrew sponsorship of the 2002 Shell Helix rally because they do not have a driver, forcing UMOSPOC to cancel the event.Chipper, still scared of high-speed events, would still compete in sprints.Meanwhile, Hima Cement yesterday announced a $25,000 (sh45m) sponsorship for the TOTAL Pearl of Africa rally due in August.Hima joined main sponsors TOTAL Oil Uganda.Charles Muhangi, in the meantime, was last night drawn to start off first in the Moon light rally due this Saturday.Draw list:Charles MuhangiGiovanni StorchiWycliff BukenyaEmma KattoSgt Ismail LuleArthur BlickWilliam BlickAdam MukasaJamil SenyonjoRonald SebuguziAbed LubambulaEnds