Celtel boosts Pearl

By Douglas Mazune CELTEL Uganda yesterday announced a sponsorship package of $11,900 (sh21.4m) for the TOTAL Pearl of Africa Uganda rally August 30-September 1.Celtel are the official communication sponsors of the event — the sixth of the Africa rally championship (ARC) series.Celtel marketing and operations manager Jacque Namara handed over a cheque to the event manager Geoffrey Kihuguru and MOSAC boss Oscar Kihiika at Celtel offices in Kampala.Kihuguru hailed Celtel for being co-sponsors of the rally for the third year running. “It is nice having you on board again and we look forward to a good rally,” Kihuguru said.Madagascar champion Bernard Dethier (Subaru Impreza (Group A) and his compatriot Patrick Emontspool (Subaru Impreza Group N 2001) yesterday joined the long list of foreign entrants.The Madagascar based Belgians’ entry brings the number of the foreign drivers in the MOSAC organised event to 12.National champion Charlie Lubega is the only local driver so far registered for the prestigious rally.TOTAL (U), Hima Cement, South African Airways, Celtel, Hotel Equatoria, Didi’s Amusement Park, IT Solutions, Daks Couriers, Fire Masters and Access Reprographics are official sponsors.Entry list:John Gemmel (RSA)Derrick Lane (ZIM)Charlie Lubega (UGA)Nishit Shar (KEN)Eddie Belcher (KEN)J. Belcher (KEN)Lola Verlaque (RSA)Paul Bailey (KEN)Satwant Singh (ZAM)Peter Cleave (KEN)Bernard Dethier (BEL)P. Emontspool (BEL)Nishid Shah (KEN)r Caltex team driver Giovanni ‘Italiano’ Storchi in a Lancia has joined his team-mate Moses Lumala in the dfcu rally August 10-11.The entry of Storchi and co-driver Busingye Rwabwogo, runners up in the Moonlight rally last month, brings the number of drivers in the event to five.Uganda Motor Club is organising the seventh NRC series event.Charlie Lubega, Adam Mukasa and William Blick are already in the dfcu sponsored event to be held 18 days before the TOTAL Pearl rally.The UMC event is sponsored by dfcu Bank.