Mangat, Essa to be flagged off first

Aug 14, 2013

UGANDA national champion Mangat who tops both the national and Africa championships will be flagged off first ahead of Africa champion Mohammed Essa

By Douglas Mazune

WHEN the crème de la crème come to town for the V Power Shell Pearl of Africa Uganda Rally, many local heroes slip down the ladder.

But Pili Pili Rally Team’s Jas Mangat remains in prime position. Uganda national champion Mangat who tops both the national and Africa championships will be flagged off first ahead of Africa champion Mohammed Essa from Zambia.

The provisional start-list, which will most likely be approved by world motorsport governing body, FIA stewards when they arrive today, had to have Mangat at the top. He has a powerful Mitsubishi Evo X, he is a national champion and leads the Africa championship.

Uganda’s Ronald Ssebuguzi will take off third while Zambian Jassy Singh and Kenyan champion Carl Tundo are fourth and fifth respectively in what should be a mouthwatering contest upfront. 

Christakis Fitidis, Rwanda’s Davite Giancarlo and 2011 Pearl Rally winner Ponsiano Lwakataka will hit the road sixth, seventh and eighth respectively.

Mangat-Essa duel

That Mangat and Essa will run bumper-to-bumper is already exciting even before the engines start revving. Mangat will be out to avenge defeat in the previous edition of this rally and also tighten his grip on the Africa championship. 

Essa who offered to give free lessons to Ugandan drivers after beating them last year has happy memories on Ugandan turf.

Compressed race

Unlike in past when competitors battle for three days, after the super special stage at Lubiri on Friday, they will have only one day to fight for silverware. 

They will cover eight competitive sections in Zirobwe and return to Kampala for the ceremonial finish. With just eight stage competitors will virtually have no breather to take the foot off the pedal.

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