Jas Mangat retains national title

By Douglas Mazune in Nalagalama, Mukono 

Independence Rally results

Jas Mangat 1:31.41 

Geoffrey Kiyaga 1:36.18

Satvinder Singh 1:40.22

Jonas Kansiime 1:41.10

Leila Blick 1:48.48

Ismail Otega 1:52.05

Edson Mungyereza 1:52.29

Mansur Lubega 1:54.29

Wilber Pole Pole 2:12.17

NRC standings

Jas Mangat 535 points

Ronald Mangat 236 

JAS Mangat is the 2013 National Rally Champion after winning the Independence Rally in Mukono on Sunday.

Mangat (Subaru N12) who went for the second last race of the championship 199 points clear of second placed Ronald Ssebuguzi needed to finish sixth or better to wrap up the championship went on to beat a feeble field to win the race.

With Ronald Ssebuguzi (Mitsubishi Evo9) and Shafiq Ssemujju (Subaru N11) doing only the super special stage, Mangat was virtually alone in the race. 

John Consta made a commendable effort to challenge Mangat and took the opening two sections on Sunday but was shortly after side-lined by mechanical failure.

"I came for this race just to finish and I am happy to win the rally. We now focus on Madagascar" Mangat remarked. 

The Pili Pili Rally Team driver entertained officials and fellow competitors with a spin at Nagaland Service Park before driving his Subaru N12 on his truck.

Geoffrey Kiyagga who was second finished five minutes behind Mangat while Vik Saini claimed the final podium spot.

Mangat becomes the sixth driver to retain the national title. Jimmy Dean (1987-88), Sam Sali (1989-1992), Karim Hirji (1993-95), Emma Kato (1996-97) and Charlie Lubega (2000, 2001, 2002 and 2004).

Former national champions Moses Lumala (2003) and Charles Muhangi (1998) did not retain their titles in their era.

Mangat is the first driver of his generation to win back-to-back national titles after former champions Ronald Ssebuguzi, Ponsiano Lwakataka, Ahmed Ashraf, Nasser Mutebi and Susan Muwonge failed to retain their title.