Ssebuguzi takes day 1 of Independence Rally

By Johnson Were

Super Special Stage Results:

1. Ronald Ssebuguzi

2. Arthur Blick Jr

3. Black Widow

4. Omar Mayanja

5. Wilberforce Pole Pole

 NRC Standings

1. Ronald Ssebuguzi 351pts

2. Wilbert Pole Pole 231pts

3. Duncan Mubiru 213pts

4. Jonas Kansiime 208pts

5. Omar Mayanja 166pts

Ronald Ssebuguzi continued to widen his chances of sealing the National Rally championship (NRC) title after winning the super Special stage on Saturday at Matugga.

The crew of Ssebuguzi and Cedric Buzabo, in a Mistibish Evo 9 posted a time of twelve minutes and 58 seconds to beat MOIL, Rwenzori Water sponsored crew of Arthur Blick Jr in Subaru N10 that finished second with 32 seconds behind Ssebuguzi.

The win gave Ssebuguzi hope and confidence of winning the title (NRC) he last won five years ago (2009).

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Dr. Ashraf Ahmed powers his Subaru N8 in the super special stage of the 2014 Independence Rally in Matugga. PHOTO/JOHNSON WERE

“This is much encouraging not only to me but to my sponsors who will see that am delivering and get me a new car,” Ssebuguzi stated after realizing that he had won Day one and his arch rival Jas Mangat suffered gear box failure.

Ssebuguzi who paired with Mangat lost the first run but took the second run when Mangat’s Mistibish Evo 10 car suffered a gear box failure leading to him to abort the run.

Dr. Ashraf and Blick still focused:

Despite losing day one to Ssebuguzi, Blick has vowed to revenge in day two today in the sections that are remaining in the areas of Semuto, Luwero and Nakaseke.

“We are doing well and finishing second is encouraging and we are ready to push him (Ssebuguzi) to the limit,” Blick who impressed much the fans Stated with a smile.

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Jas Mangat  powers his Mistibish Evo 910 in super special stage of the 2014 Independence Rally in Matugga before he suffered gear box failure . PHOTO/JOHNSON WERE

Dr.Ahmed Ashraf and Peter Stone were all up as they said that it is not yet over to rule them off the Independence rally title.

“It is not yet over the rally is won on day two not in the Super Special stage. We kept a low profile today and  Sunday is the to judge us,” He stated.

It was a tight showcase that lived to its billing as drivers exhibited their skills and speed leaving fans wild in support.

The fans who talked to New Vision said, “We have got value for our money and we can’t complain of anything.”

Ssebuguzi opens the route Sunday followed by Jas Mangat (Evo 10),if his car gets serviced , Pole Pole Wilberforce, Omar Mayanja, Jonas Kansiime, Arthur Blick Jr and the only lady driver Irene Leila Blick in that order in the 380km rally that has 210km competitive sections.

The crew of Ssebuguzi and Buzaabo just needs to finish in the second position to win the NRC title.