RAUTENBACH GRABS PEARL
JUNIOR world champion Conrad Rautenbach defied the roughest route he has encountered this season to win the Pearl of Africa Uganda Rally on Sunday.
By Douglas Mazune
in Luweero
Pearl results
C. Rautenbach 2:52.52
H. Miyoshi 2:56.20
M. Singh 2:56.25
J. Mangat 3:42.41
S. Muwonge 4:09.43
ARC standings
C. Rautenbach 38 points
H. Miyoshi 37
M. Singh 18
A. Anwar 15
P. Emontspool 9
L. Verlaque 7
E. Katto 6
I. Mohammed 6
D. Smith 2
JUNIOR world champion Conrad Rautenbach defied the roughest route he has encountered this season to win the Pearl of Africa Uganda Rally on Sunday.
The 21-year-old Zimbabwean, who pounced on the lead when Ugandan ace Emma Katto damaged the gear-selector of his Subaru N 10 in the first leg, clung on to win the event. Rautenbach’s victory effectively deposed Japanese Hideaki Miyoshi from the top of the African Rally Championship table.
“It feels nice winning such a difficult rally. The route was tricky and rougher than even the Kenya Safari Rally. The route was really hard on the car. It was hard to get the car to the finish. Katto was really going very fast and Lwakataka set some very good times. Miyoshi and Muna Singh were quick as well,†Rautenbach commented.
Zambian Muna, who came second, was relieved to finish the gruelling race.
“It was a very difficult rally. I am glad I finished the rally,†Muna remarked.
Japanese Miyoshi claimed the third place while Jas Mangat was the best Ugandan driver in fourth position.
Susan Muwonge proved she is a force to reckon with in Uganda when she also defied the rugged route to complete the event in fifth place.
Only five of the 15 starters completed the rally.
Katto, who returned to race under the ‘super rally’ system, gave a good account of himself to win the second leg and bag three Africa Rally Championship points.
Ponsiano Lwakataka was forced out by a blown turbo-charger while the South African Rally Chicks team of Lola Verlaque and her sister Megan Verlague was sidelined by mechanical problems in the closing stages.
The rally, which had NIC as its major sponsor, was the third round of the Africa Rally Championship.
in Luweero
Pearl results
C. Rautenbach 2:52.52
H. Miyoshi 2:56.20
M. Singh 2:56.25
J. Mangat 3:42.41
S. Muwonge 4:09.43
ARC standings
C. Rautenbach 38 points
H. Miyoshi 37
M. Singh 18
A. Anwar 15
P. Emontspool 9
L. Verlaque 7
E. Katto 6
I. Mohammed 6
D. Smith 2
JUNIOR world champion Conrad Rautenbach defied the roughest route he has encountered this season to win the Pearl of Africa Uganda Rally on Sunday.
The 21-year-old Zimbabwean, who pounced on the lead when Ugandan ace Emma Katto damaged the gear-selector of his Subaru N 10 in the first leg, clung on to win the event. Rautenbach’s victory effectively deposed Japanese Hideaki Miyoshi from the top of the African Rally Championship table.
“It feels nice winning such a difficult rally. The route was tricky and rougher than even the Kenya Safari Rally. The route was really hard on the car. It was hard to get the car to the finish. Katto was really going very fast and Lwakataka set some very good times. Miyoshi and Muna Singh were quick as well,†Rautenbach commented.
Zambian Muna, who came second, was relieved to finish the gruelling race.
“It was a very difficult rally. I am glad I finished the rally,†Muna remarked.
Japanese Miyoshi claimed the third place while Jas Mangat was the best Ugandan driver in fourth position.
Susan Muwonge proved she is a force to reckon with in Uganda when she also defied the rugged route to complete the event in fifth place.
Only five of the 15 starters completed the rally.
Katto, who returned to race under the ‘super rally’ system, gave a good account of himself to win the second leg and bag three Africa Rally Championship points.
Ponsiano Lwakataka was forced out by a blown turbo-charger while the South African Rally Chicks team of Lola Verlaque and her sister Megan Verlague was sidelined by mechanical problems in the closing stages.
The rally, which had NIC as its major sponsor, was the third round of the Africa Rally Championship.