Muhangi Enters Subaru WRC

Aug 13, 2002

CHARLES Muhangi raised the stakes in the TOTAL Pearl of Africa Uganda rally August 30-September 1 by registering the event’s first WRC-class car.

By VISION REPORTERCHARLES Muhangi raised the stakes in the TOTAL Pearl of Africa Uganda rally August 30-September 1 by registering the event’s first WRC-class car.The 1999 African rally champion becomes the third local to enter the event and will be the driver to beat in his Subaru Impreza World Rally Car(WRC).Muhangi, who is often in high gear both on the track and off it, immediately said he could see no opposition in sight.Muhangi dismissed South African Johnny Gemmel, winner of the Rwanda ARC round who singled him and Charlie Lubega out as the men to beat.“Gemmel should scare Lubega not me. He is not anywhere near my level, I watched him in Rwanda,” Muhangi said.He went on to threaten the other entrants: “When I look around I don’t see anyone who can beat me in this rally. Unless they bring someone from heaven, I will definitely defeat them.” He had originally planned to enter the less powerful Subaru dubbed ‘Ekitaguriiro’ he used at the Safari rally but his decision to go for the WRC (picture above) shows his determination to repeat his 1998 win.Entrants 1.Johnny Gemmel2.Lola Verlaque3.Derrick Lane4.Charlie Lubega5.Peter Cleave6.Paul Bailey7.Eddies Belcher8.J. Belcher9.Dethier Bernard10.Patrick Emontspool11.John Ngunjiri12.Phineas Kimathi13.Sgt Ismail Lule14.Satwant Singh15.Rory Green16.Azar Anwar17.Charles Muhangi.-Finn Marcus Gronholm said on Monday that opening a clear advantage in the title race means more to him than his third successive Rally of Finland victory.Peugeot driver Gronholm scored a hat-trick of wins in his home event on Sunday to move 17 points clear of Briton Colin McRae.“It was a good win but it is even more vital for the championship,” said Gronholm.Ends

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