Vivo injects sh100m in Pearl of Africa Rally

By Johnson Were

NRC Standings   

1. Arthur Blick Jr. 360 pts   
2. John Consta 220
3. Duncan Mubiru 175  
4. Ronald Ssebuguzi 160  
5. Wilbert Pole Pole 105

Vivo energy managing director Hans Paulsen has pledged his company's commitment to supporting motorsport in Uganda if they continue raising the safety standards.

Paulsen disclosed this in his speech during a press briefing held at Shell Bugolobi before announcing sh100m sponsorship for this year's Vivo Energy Pearl of Africa Uganda Rally later this month August 28-30 in Wakiso and Mubende districts.

"Vivo energy is committed to maintaining the highest safety standards and will accord full support to FMU as long as safety of the participants, spectators and the general public is a priority," Paulsen stated.

Arthur Blick Jr (in red) with Vivo Energy MD Hans Paulsen gives a thumbs up at the launch of the event. PHOTO BY JOHNSON WERE

He also cautioned the general public to observe safety measures during the rally.

The national Motorsport governing body (FMU) president, Jack Wavaunno, lauded the fuel trading company for the support and promised transparency and safety measures for both participants and spectators.

He added that the federation is trying to take events on closed routes as one way of improving safety.

The Pearl of Africa Uganda Rally is the 6th round of the Africa national rally championship and is also the 5th round of the national Rally Championship.

From: L-R Arthur Blick's co-driver Unisan Bakunda; Shell V-Power sponsored Ronald Ssebuguzi; Vivo Energy's MD, Hans Paulsen and Arthur Blick Jr at the launch of the Rally. PHOTO BY JOHNSON WERE

According to Clerk of the Course (COC)  David Bitalo, the event starts with a super special stage in Zion Estate Matugga on Friday before heading for competitive sections in Mubende and will have a total distance of 778km of 205Km will be competitive.

As foreign drivers like Jasse Singh from Zambia and Jaspreet Chathe from Kenya will be battling it out for the Africa crown (ARC), the crew of Arthur Blick Jr and Unisan Bakunda in the Subaru N10 prodrive targets sealing the 2015 National Rally Championship (NRC) title in the same event.

"We are just going to attack because our target is to seal the NRC championship in this Pearl rally and our fans should be confident that we are out for a podium Finish," Blick stated.

"It is good we are going to gauge ourselves with the continent's top crews who will be competing for Africa rally championship," The Shell Helix sponsored driver added.

Blick (360pts) is 140,185,200 points ahead of John Consta, Duncan Mubiru and Ronald Ssebuguzi who are in second, third and fourth position respectively.