Mangat refuses to give up on Africa Rally Championship dream
For him to become champion, he has to win all three of the Rwanda Mountain Gorilla Rally, Zambian International and Tanzania International Rally
Jas Mangat enters his Mitsubishi Evo10 during the Burundi Rally. Photo by Johnson Were
NewVision Reporter
@NewVision
Rally driver Jas Mangat is convinced that he is still a title contender in the 2023 Africa Rally Championship (ARC) and that he can ultimately win it.
Mangat, navigated by Joseph Kamya in a Mitsubishi Evo10, finished third in the Burundi International Rally which is the third leg of the ARC.
Yasin Nasser, navigated by Ali Katumba in a Ford Fiesta R5, finished second behind winner Karan Patel of Kenya in the same car.
The results kept the Ugandans on top of the ARC log which Nasser leads with 78 points, 15 ahead of Mangat on 63 points.
Jas Mangat finished third in the Burundi Rally. Photo by Johnson Were
Kenya’s Karan Patel is third with 60 points while Uganda’s Innocent Bwamiki is fourth with 38 points.
Mangat struck a positive tone after the event, saying that he was happy with a third-place finish.
"We came for a win but our car developed a gearbox problem. We take the position and take the fight to Rwanda with the new car,” Mangat said.
The drivers lauded Ugandan fans for not only supporting them but sacrificing their resources to follow them wherever they travel to compete.
Some of the rally fans from Uganda that travelled to Burundi for the rally. Photo by Johnson Were
“When we pass these fans supporting us and flying the Uganda flag up, we get motivated. Even at a time when we feel like dropping out due to mechanical issues, we decide to push further and I want to thank them,” navigator Kamya stated.
For Mangat to be the champion he has to win all three of the Rwanda Mountain Gorilla Rally, Zambian International and Tanzania International Rally.
Meanwhile, motorsport fans under their umbrella body Rally Hunters with support from World Wide Movers and Friends Coaches have been availed a bus to travel and support Ugandan drivers through the three remaining events in Rwanda, Zambia and Tanzania.
Sulait Natukunda, the proprietor of the Friends Coaches told New Vision Sport that “These drivers are flying Uganda’s flag high and I will avail a bus to fans to go and support them in all the remaining events.”
Africa Rally Championship
Yasin Nasser (UGA) 78 points
Jas Mangat (UGA) 63
Karan Patel (KEN) 60
Innocent (UGA) 38
Rio Smith (KEN) 24
Asad Anwar (KEN) 19