In 2019, the crew of Yasin Nasser and Ali Katumba in a Subaru GVB narrowly missed out on winning the Shell V-Power Pearl of Africa Uganda Rally when they finished second to the winner Manvir Baryan of Kenya.

To date, the crew has never lost the hope of winning the continental event will be out to make that a reality starting Friday, with the shakedown section in Namataba.

The shakedown is the pre-event race that gives crews the opportunity to test their competition cars on a terrain similar to that of the rally. Competitors must drive through the shakedown stage at least three times, with all passes timed.

The 2019 National Rally Champion also won the Africa Rally Championship (ARC2) category but lost the main ARC title to Kenya's Carl Tundo. 

“We are all good, prepared well. Car is ready for the battle,” Nasser said.

“We want a podium again in this 2022 Pearl. Inshallah, we take it as it comes,” the MOIL fuelled driver added.

This year's edition has attracted 10 foreign crews including Leroy Gabriel Gomes (Zambia), Karan Patel, Kimathi McRae, Jeremiah Wahome, Maxine Wahome, Sachania Nikhil, and Hamza Anwar from Kenya.

The event has also 39 locals including leading racers Ponsiano Lwakataka, Hassan Alwi, Ahmed Ashraf, Ronald Sebuguzi, Arthur Blick Jr, Omar Mayanja, Jas Mangat, and Duncan Mubiru all targeting victory.

The three-day event is the third round of both the Africa Rally Championship and the National Rally Championship.

According to David Mayanja the clerk of course, crews will battle it out in nine stages including Shekha Mehta (25kms), Kivuuvu (21kms), Kasaku Tea (32kms), and Nakiwunga (8kms) to be repeated.