Dipu’s navigator quits motor sport
Oct 29, 2002
WHAT was thought to be a dream partnership between Dipu Ruparelia and co-driver Isaac Rwakiseta will not last.
By Douglas Mazune
WHAT was thought to be a dream partnership between Dipu Ruparelia and co-driver Isaac Rwakiseta will not last.
Rwakiseta, whose partnership with Dipu was cherished by many, announced his retirement after the rally citing personal reasons.
Dipu had taken full advantage of fast acting Rwakiseta to make an impression in the Castrol Independence rally but will not enjoy the navigator’s services anymore.
“I informed Dipu four weeks ago and he thought I was joking but I have quit, I won’t sit in a rally car again,†Rwakiseta told The New Vision after the prize-giving ceremony at Sheraton Hotel Kampala.
The Crane Bank crew of Dipu and Rwakiseta in a Mitsubishi Evo4 finished second to national champion Charlie Lubega.
Arthur Blick (Toyota Supra), William Blick (Mitsubishi Evo) and Castrol Rally Team’s Wycliff Bukenya (Toyota Celica ST 185) not only exhibited good driving skills but also showed they would be a factor in the 2003 National Rally Championship.
Lubega led throughout but his fans were thrown into panic when Dipu overtook him (Lubega) while changing a tyre in the ultimate section of the rally.
The champion who registered his first Castrol rally victory and 14th NRC win dedicated it to his newly formed TOTAL Rally Team fans club.
“This win is for my fans who turned up in big numbers, I urge them to support me by refuelling at TOTAL stations,†Lubega said.
Arthur (106 points) who finished second in the Clubman Rally Championship (CRC) toppled his cousin William Blick (92). The 2002 CRC title will be settled in the remaining two sprints.
The final round of the National Rally Championship series was sponsored by Castrol Uganda with Jovenna, Sheraton Hotel, IT Solutions, South African Airways, Dembe FM, DHL, Fire Masters, WBS and Pepsi as co-sponsors.
Final times
Lubega/Abed 2:39.03
Ruparelia /Rwakiseta 3:00.22
Ranjit/Kasaija 3:04.49
Lumala/Matovu 3:29.01
Bukenya/Sentongo 3:45.57
Lubambula/Byenkya 4:18.06
Lwakataka/Pamba 4:19.09
Dolly /Oduka 4:24.02
Cleave/Case 4:54.50
Blick/Margach 4:55.17
Kimula/Mungoma 5:20.42
Sebuguzi/Oundo 6:36.27
Ends
WHAT was thought to be a dream partnership between Dipu Ruparelia and co-driver Isaac Rwakiseta will not last.
Rwakiseta, whose partnership with Dipu was cherished by many, announced his retirement after the rally citing personal reasons.
Dipu had taken full advantage of fast acting Rwakiseta to make an impression in the Castrol Independence rally but will not enjoy the navigator’s services anymore.
“I informed Dipu four weeks ago and he thought I was joking but I have quit, I won’t sit in a rally car again,†Rwakiseta told The New Vision after the prize-giving ceremony at Sheraton Hotel Kampala.
The Crane Bank crew of Dipu and Rwakiseta in a Mitsubishi Evo4 finished second to national champion Charlie Lubega.
Arthur Blick (Toyota Supra), William Blick (Mitsubishi Evo) and Castrol Rally Team’s Wycliff Bukenya (Toyota Celica ST 185) not only exhibited good driving skills but also showed they would be a factor in the 2003 National Rally Championship.
Lubega led throughout but his fans were thrown into panic when Dipu overtook him (Lubega) while changing a tyre in the ultimate section of the rally.
The champion who registered his first Castrol rally victory and 14th NRC win dedicated it to his newly formed TOTAL Rally Team fans club.
“This win is for my fans who turned up in big numbers, I urge them to support me by refuelling at TOTAL stations,†Lubega said.
Arthur (106 points) who finished second in the Clubman Rally Championship (CRC) toppled his cousin William Blick (92). The 2002 CRC title will be settled in the remaining two sprints.
The final round of the National Rally Championship series was sponsored by Castrol Uganda with Jovenna, Sheraton Hotel, IT Solutions, South African Airways, Dembe FM, DHL, Fire Masters, WBS and Pepsi as co-sponsors.
Final times
Lubega/Abed 2:39.03
Ruparelia /Rwakiseta 3:00.22
Ranjit/Kasaija 3:04.49
Lumala/Matovu 3:29.01
Bukenya/Sentongo 3:45.57
Lubambula/Byenkya 4:18.06
Lwakataka/Pamba 4:19.09
Dolly /Oduka 4:24.02
Cleave/Case 4:54.50
Blick/Margach 4:55.17
Kimula/Mungoma 5:20.42
Sebuguzi/Oundo 6:36.27
Ends