Autocross at a crossroads: Can Uganda balance development and competition?

The National Autocross Championship has steadily grown into one of Uganda's most important motorsport development platforms, providing aspiring drivers with an opportunity to learn the sport while allowing experienced competitors to fine-tune their machines.

However, as participation continues to rise, a debate is emerging within the motorsport fraternity over whether the championship is still fulfilling its primary objective of nurturing new talent.

The latest round, held in Kitigoma, attracted a strong field of competitors eager to test their skills and machinery. Interestingly, Kitigoma has now hosted two of the three rounds held so far this season, having also staged the championship opener.

While the increasing number of entries reflects the growing popularity of autocross, some cadet drivers believe the presence of too many established competitors is making it difficult for newcomers to gain confidence and develop at their own pace.

For many beginners, autocross serves as the first step into competitive motorsport. It offers an opportunity to understand race procedures, improve car control, and gain valuable seat time before progressing to the more demanding National Rally Championship (NRC).

But newcomer Ronald Sserunjoji, who competes in a Subaru N10, feels the current setup often favours seasoned competitors.

"Competing alongside established drivers can be intimidating for those of us who are just starting out. Their speed and level of competition are very high, and many newcomers end up spending more time watching than competing confidently. That is one reason why some drivers fail to remain consistent," Sserunjoji said.

His concerns are shared by several other newcomers who argue that autocross should primarily focus on driver development rather than outright competition.

Despite the existing classification system, many cadet drivers maintain that the championship would better serve its developmental purpose if the number of experienced competitors was limited at certain events.

They argue that while established drivers offer mentorship and inspiration, their overwhelming presence can discourage beginners who are still learning the fundamentals of race craft, vehicle setup, and event procedures.

The cadets believe a more balanced field would allow newcomers to build confidence gradually without the pressure of trying to match the pace of Uganda's top rally drivers.

However, Federation of Motorsport Clubs of Uganda (FMU) Deputy Vice President Joshua Mayanja disagrees.

"Cadets should embrace the presence of experienced competitors because they provide valuable lessons both on and off the track. Young drivers can learn driving techniques, vehicle setup, race preparation and even basic vehicle maintenance from them," Mayanja explained.

Mayanja added that autocross is designed to serve multiple roles within the sport. Besides developing new talent, it also enables established drivers to test and refine their cars ahead of major rallies while helping returning competitors regain competitive rhythm.

Nevertheless, some observers believe the high dropout rate among newcomers is partly caused by inexperienced drivers attempting to match the pace of seasoned competitors too early in their careers.

They suggest introducing measures that would create a more gradual learning curve for beginners without completely excluding experienced drivers from the championship.

Another newcomer, John Ssemudu, believes education could be the missing link.

"Our events often begin without enough orientation for first-time competitors. I would like to see FMU organize workshops before races so that new drivers can better understand regulations, safety requirements and competition procedures. That would help reduce mistakes and improve confidence," Ssemudu said.

The dominance of experienced drivers has been evident throughout the season. All three rounds held so far have been won by established competitors, including Hassn Alwi and Mike Mukula, with the most recent victory going to Jonas Kansime, one of Uganda's most respected rally drivers.

Kansime's triumph was particularly notable as it marked his return to competitive action after a seven-year absence. The veteran is using the autocross series to prepare for the remainder of the rally season, including the upcoming National Rally Championship round in Masaka.

As the championship continues to grow, FMU faces the delicate task of balancing development and competition. While experienced drivers undoubtedly raise the standard of the sport, ensuring that newcomers feel welcomed, supported, and encouraged will be equally important.

How that balance is achieved could determine whether autocross continues to produce the next generation of Uganda's rally stars or remains largely a testing ground for established competitors.