Top Ugandan drivers unleash pre-event tactics

By Douglas Mazune

Pearl of Africa Rally

Super Special stage At Lubiri (Friday 12pm)

Main leg in Zirobwe (Saturday)

ARC standings

Jas Mangat 58 points

Mohammed Essa 50

Jassy Singh 48

National standings

Jas Mangat 295 pts

Ronald Ssebuguzi 236

Arthur Blick 203

THE Shell V-Power Pearl of Africa Uganda Rally flag off is three days away but tactics have already come into play with top local crews holding back on route reccing due to unpredictable weather.

Wycliff Bukenya, Ponsiano Lwakataka, John Consta Karumuna, Christakis Fitidis, Jas Mangat, Ronald Ssebuguzi, who had been scheduled to go route reccing in Zirobwe last weekend, together with other local competitors, opted to delay their trip to the route.

Federation of Motorsport Clubs of Uganda (FMU) secretary Reynolds Kibira confirmed that the Ugandans had applied to go route reccing with the foreign crews tomorrow and Thursday.

Ssebuguzi claimed his co-driver Cedric Buzabo could not take time off his full time job to go to the route.

“Even then, it’s prudent to go route reccing about two days before the races because heavy rain could change the road surface. We are currently working on the car and hope to go flat-out from the super special stage at Lubiri on Friday,” Ssebuguzi told New Vision Sport while supervising the fine-tuning of his Mitsubishi Evo9.

Bukenya said he was busy procuring a new gearbox but when pressed he admitted he also preferred to go reccing midweek. The event which is the sixth round of the Africa championship has attracted 44 crews from Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, Ivory Coast and Zambia.

Ugandan champion Jas Mangat, who tops both Africa and national championships will be in the spotlight.

The race starts with a super special stage at Lubiri on Friday ahead of the main leg in Zirobwe on Saturday.

Crews will tackle eight competitive stages before returning to Silver Springs Hotel in Kampala for the ceremonial finish.