Mangat unfazed by title rivals

By Douglas Mazune

NRC standings

Ronald Ssebuguzi 186 points

Jas Mangat 185

Duncan Mubiru 171

Ponsiano Lwakataka 165

Christakis Fitidis 121

Arthur Blick 117

Omar Mayanja 115

NATIONAL motor rally champion Jas Mangat who won the MPU Rally last weekend, to reawaken his title hopes, is not running scared of the numerous crews which appear to be in contention as well.

Mangat (Subaru N12) has picked on Jomayi Rally Team’s Ronald Ssebuguzi describing him as a ‘very consistent and fast driver.’

“All the others have points now but they are not as consistent as Ssebuguzi. I enjoyed competition in the MPU Rally. He won some sections and I took some as well. Duncan (Mubiru) tried to put on some pace but Ssebuguzi is the one I should keep an eye on this season,” Mangat stated after the weekend event.

Ssebuguzi tops the championship with 186 points, just one point ahead of Mangat heading for next month’s Eastern Challenge Rally which is a mid-season race.

Ponsiano Lwakataka, Christakis Fitidis, Mubiru, Arthur Blick and Omar Mayanja are within reach of the championship having scored points in all three races so far tackled.

Make-or-break Pearl Rally 

While the popular Eastern Challenge Rally in Jinja will certainly reshape the championship at the halfway mark, the Shell Pearl of Africa Rally will make or break title contenders. 

The continental event scheduled for August carries 40% bonus points that will boost podium finishers’ title quest.

Tension that comes with overwhelming desire to win Uganda’s premier race usually gets competitors in trouble due to risky driving.

The eight-round championship will wind up with the MOSAC Elgon Rally in Mbale in December.