The second round of the National Rally Championship saw Ponsiano Lwakataka navigated by Paul Musaazi take first place in their Subaru Impreza N12 in a time of 0:52:02:55.
It sure did shape up to be an unforgettable rally as Lwakataka managed to hold on to his first place position following his win in Mbarara as he climbed his way to top and drove skillfully through the difficult race that saw drivers exiting after day one. Lwakataka, who finished fifth on the first day of racing, came through on the last day, cruising past his competition to first place and with his car still intact.
The first day of racing had Ronald Ssebuguzi in first place, Musa Kabega in second, Arthur Blick Jr. in third, and Mark Lubega in fourth. But things took a whole different turn at the end, after the last two stages got cancelled due to safety issues, with rowdy fans and Rajiv Ruparelia/Enoch Olinga suffering a terrible accident as well as Edward Kirumira/Robert Katabalwa which crew also suffered some injuries.
Coming in second place, just 2seconds and 81microseconds behind Lwakataka was Hassan Alwi navigated by Joseph Kamya in their Subaru Impreza N14 at 0:52:05:36. This was a real game-changer for Alwi who did not compete in Mbarara, so he is collecting his first points for the season.
Arthur Blick Jr. navigated by his son Alestair Blick held onto their third place finish, the first podium finish for Blick Jr. this season and a tremendous accomplishment for his son Alestair, who at the age of 18, has become the youngest person to score a podium win in the NRC, proving to be a formidable contender in the motorsport world. Kepher Walubi navigated by George Ssemakula came in fourth place in their Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X at 0:56:47:95. The eastern native was hoping to secure a podium finish for the “basoga” but fell short 4mins:45seconds:40 a good performance still as they for the most, completed the rally.
A fifth place finish was not what they had anticipated, but Kikankane rally team’s Duncan Mubiru and co-driver Musa Nsubuga sadly had to settle for that. They rolled their Ford Fiesta in the circuit stage at the end of day one but managed to come back and fight on in the last day, completing the rally at 0:57:51:03.
Oscar Ntambi navigated by Asuman Muhammed took the lead in the 2WD category in their Toyota Alteza coming in at 1:03:33:74. This is Ntambi’s first podium finish this season. Sadat Negomba navigated by Charles Lubowa in a Toyota Corolla FX came in second at 1:16:20:25, also scoring their first podium finish, Gilberto Balondemu navigated by Gilberto Waluggyo in a Toyota FX scored third and Ibrahim Lubega “pasuwa” missed the podium this time round coming in fourth.
In the Clubman Rally Championship (CRC), it was all about Mike Mukula Jr and co-driver Edward Kiyinji. They put on a show for the fans and it paid off for the youngster, in a Subaru Impreza N12. They clocked in at 0:45:57:33. His father, Captain Mike Mukula Sr. was one of the route openers and he treated the fans to a show, showing his still got it after two decades without racing. He said he will be taking part in the upcoming rallies as well so it will be a real for the rallying fraternity. Julius Semambo navigated by Diana Nagawa came in third place in their Toyota Corolla FX.
The drivers are looking forward to the Equator rally in Kenya coming up in the first week of April, as it serves as a precursor to the WRC Safari rally.
