Rajiv graduates to National Rally Championship

Aug 20, 2019

According to the Federation of Motorsport Clubs of Uganda (FMU) regulations, an upcoming competitor is supposed to compete and finish a minimum of three Autocross events to graduate to the NRC.

Official results top three

 

Autocross category

 

Rajiv Ruparelia 5.21

 

Jonas Kansiime 5.24

 

Christakis Fitidis 5.27

 

Buggy Championship

 

Ali Omar 5.59

 

Paddy Blick 6.18

 

Alestair Blick 6.19

 

Rajiv Ruparelia is focused on challenging the top drivers in the remaining National Rally Championship (NRC) races this season.

 

Ruparelia disclosed this after winning the fourth round of the National Autocross Championship in Kapeeka, Nakaseke district on Sunday which graduated him to the Club Man rally championship (CRC) category in the NRC events.

 

 Rajiv won the Autocross race in Kapeeka

 

"Leave aside the results today, I'm extremely happy that this event was my graduation event and I have completed it, which graduates me to challenge the big boys," an excited Ruparelia said after the event.

 

According to the Federation of Motorsport Clubs of Uganda (FMU) regulations, an upcoming competitor is supposed to compete and finish a minimum of three Autocross events to graduate to the NRC.

 

Autocross is used as a training ground for new drivers before joining competitions such as the NRC. Kapeeka was Rajiv's third event with the first one being Sisa in Wakiso district in May where he finished second and Kayunga in June which he won.

 

Justin Mungoma, the clerk of the course for the UMOSPOC Kabalega rally due in October, congratulated Ruparelia saying that he will bring more competition and excitement to the sport.

 

"The more powerful cars we have in the country, the more competition in the sport which is key to growth and development," Mungoma who is also FMU Executive member said.

 

Ruparelia navigated by Enock Olinga in a Mitsubishi Evo9, posted a total time loss of 5.21 minutes, beating Jona Kansiime in the same car by two seconds and former National rally champion Christakis Fitidis (5.27) who finished third.

 

  Fortune Ssentamu entertains fans in Kapeeka

General Salim Saleh lauded the organisers of the event Motorsport Africa Club (MOSAC) for the good organisation and promised to support the sport.

 

The general was overwhelmed by the big turn-up of fans who braved the scorching sun and dust in the Industrial Park to cheer on the competitors.

 

"I want to thank the organisers for giving me the opportunity to interact with the youth and I pledge my support for your activities and I will foot all the administration costs today," General Saleh noted before presiding over the prize-giving ceremony.

 

Twenty-nine competitors participated in the one-day event.