Lwakataka face Sebuguzi, Muhangi

Feb 03, 2006

NATIONAL champion Ponsiano Lwakataka may be the favourite in the Rakai Development Rally that gets underway today but rule out Ronald Sebuguzi and Charles Muhangi at your own peril.

By Douglas Mazune

NATIONAL champion Ponsiano Lwakataka may be the favourite in the Rakai Development Rally that gets underway today but rule out Ronald Sebuguzi and Charles Muhangi at your own peril.

Despite Lwakataka having the home advantage, Sebuguzi who exhibited tremendous improvement at the close of last season and vastly experienced Muhangi in a more powerful Subaru Impreza ‘Ekitaguriiro’, are capable of bringing down the national champion.

Omar Mayanja, a highly skilled driver whose undoing in this rally is an inferior Mitsubishi Gallant he will drive, has warned Lwakataka against taking Sebuguzi for granted.

“There’s no doubt I hold Lwakataka in high regard but if Sebuguzi has prepared well he has a good chance of beating Lwakataka.

Sebuguzi has rebuilt the engine of his Subaru and most of the route is smooth.

“Lwakataka is a very technical driver who can handle rough roads but I don’t think he is a flat-out type,” Mayanja said.

Lwakataka had earlier said that his competitors would need a miracle to beat him on his home turf.

Mayanja, Arthur Blick, Faisal Tezikuba, Ismail Lule and Bob Roberts are expected to feature prominently in the opening round of the 2006 National Championship that has attracted 19 competitors.

The rally will be flagged off at 12.00noon in Kyotera and drivers will tackle three sections in the first leg.

After a night stop, the second leg of five sections will be concentrated in Rakai tomorrow.

Provisional order of start:
1. C. Muhangi(Subaru)
2. P. Lwakataka (Subaru)
3. Mayanja (Mitsubishi)
4. R. Sebuguzi (Subaru N-4)
5. I Lule (Subaru S12)
6. B. Roberts (Ford Pick up)
7. A. Blick (Mitsubishi)
8. F. Tezikuba (Subaru N-4)
9. I. Numba (Mazda 323)
10. A. Mayinja (Celica)
11. B. Koyesiga ( Celica)
12. M. Sanya (Mazda 323)
13. J. Mustapha (Celica)
14. E. Kyeyune (Subaru)
15. R. Lwakataka (Subaru)
16. S. Muwonge (Mitsubishi)
17. M. Muhereza (Subaru)
18. P. Mugisha (Subaru)
19. H. Menya (Toyota Levin)

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