Blick, Yasin, Mangat out of Mbarara rally

PHOTO: Hassan Alwi in action during the Kapeeka Rally. PHOTOS: Johnson Were

Rukaari-Lake Mburo Mbarara Rally

Saturday:

Stage 1: Charles Muhangi section

(Biharwe-Kaku-Kanyaryeru-15kms)

Super Special stage 6.4km

Day Two:

Stage 2: Biharwe-Kibega (44.8kms)

Stage 3: Kageti -Kageti (23kms)

Stage 4: Sanga-Kanyaryeru (13kms)

Stage 5: Kyapa- Kibega (46km)

Stage 6: Biharwe- Kyamugorani (22km)

Top 10 Start List:

1. Ronald Ssebuguzi/ Anthony Mugambwa

2. Hassan Alwi/ James Mwangi

3. Omar Mayanja/ Hussein Mukuye

4. Fred Busulwa/ Joseph Bongole

5. Dr. Ashraf Ahmed/ Yusufu Shameer

6. Duncan Mubiru/ Musa Nsubuga

7. Ponsiano Lwakataka /Paul Musaazi

8 Rajiv Ruparelia/Enock Olinga

9. Abdul Kateete / Rahma Muhammad

10. Godfrey Lubega / Bashir Mbogo

Past winners

2019- Jas Mangat

2018- Jas Mangat

2017- Omar Mayanja

2016-Ronald Ssebuguzi

2015-Duncan Mubiru

2014-Duncan Mubiru

2013-Ponsiano Lwakataka

2012-Jas Mangat

2011-Suzan Muwonge

2010-Ponsiano Lwakataka

With National Rally Champion Yassin Nasser and runner up Arthur Blick Jr. ruled out of the season opener, Ronald Ssebuguzi will open the route in the Rukaari-Lake Mburo Mbarara rally that starts Saturday in Mbarara.

Ssebuguzi navigated by Anthony Mugambwa hits the road first in the 15kms Biharwe-Kanyaryeru competitive stage before returning in the afternoon for the circuit.

The crews will battle it out in the 15kms stage before winding up the day with a 6.4km double circuit Super Special Stage at Mwesigwa Resort in the afternoon.

 Ssebuguzi will open the route in Mbarara rally

The National Rally Championship (NRC) Calendar opener has attracted 30 crews and Ssebuguzi will face stiff opposition from Omar Mayanja, who won the event in 2017, Hassan Alwi, the International University of East Africa (IUEA) ambassador, former NRC champion Dr. Ashraf Muhammed and the new kid on the Block Rajiv Ruparelia.

Rajiv faces a tough test:

Rajiv started rallying last season and proved that he is a speed merchant. Enock Olinga is his navigator in Volkswagen Polo.

  Omar Mayanja in action

When contacted on how ready he is for the big boys, the vocal driver this time had a few words," We are getting there."

The event that has eight stages covers a total distance of 294kms of which 145.9kms are competitive and the rest liaison.