FMU takes first step

Caltex rally draw:Charlie LubegaMoses LumalaKuku RanjitKaka JuniorGiovanni StorchiDipu RupareliaGodfrey KatendeIsmail LuleNadim LalaniArthur BlickDipu HayerJoseph MulemaJamil SenyonjoToplex MakangaBy Douglas Mazune FEDERATION of Motorsport Clubs of Uganda (FMU) will from today start reaping the fruits of their battle to have sports stake-holders take charge of the game.The Caltex Havoline rally that takes off at Centenary Park at 8.00am will be FMU’s maiden national championship. It marks the end of a two-year battle with AAU for FIA affiliation. FMU won that battle.But, the FIA status comes with expectations of high standards in organisation, crowd control and passion from the drivers. FMU boss Jack Wavamunno and his team are set for the challenge in the next two days.The Caltex rally top contenders are treble-chasing national champion Charlie Lubega (Mitsubishi Evo4) and Caltex sponsored Moses Lumala (Toyota Celica ST 185). “The roads are very smooth and Charlie’s car is good on such roads. I will go flat out,” Lumala said. Lumala was beaten by Chipper Adams to last year’s edition of the Caltex rally by just seven seconds. Even luck plays a big part in motorsport. Drivers will not only aim for an early lead, but also the Caltex luck. Save for Adams, Caltex rally victors have gone on to claim the NRC.Lubega and Lumala may be favourites but rule out Giovanni ‘Italiano’ Storchi at your own peril. Storchi has mastered his Lancia Intergrale ‘Pathfinder’ that is capable of defying the form-book.Cars will race over three sections on day one, including the longest one at 89km in Mpigi before returning to Kampala where they will do two runs at Lubiri Super special stage.ends