The long anticipated and fan-favorite pearl of Africa rally finally kicked off on May 6, 2022 with a shakedown or free practice run and ceremonial start or flagging off. The shakedown was held at Mzuri Africa Hotel in Namataba and competitors were later flagged off at the Kampala Nile Resort Hotel in Namanve.
The very celebrated Ugandan fans finally got a first glimpse for the start of the pearl rally that was last held back in 2019 with a shakedown at the start of the day; most of the fans got to see the African Rally Championship (ARC) cars upclose that were driven by foreign crews. Kenya’s Karan Patel navigated by Tauseef Khan had the best time of the qualifying stage completing in 03:50.5 in their Ford Fiesta. Patel is looking to secure an ARC victory with this rally and also to be like Kenyan legend Manvir Baryan or Carl Tundo who won their home rallies in the Kenya National Rally Championship and the ARC as well.
Zambia’s Leroy Gomes and navigator wife Urshlla Gomes had the second-best time of 03:53.5. The team was cheered on the most by the fans who enjoyed seeing how their Ford Fiesta R5 navigated the corners and muddy terrain. Uganda’s Jas Mangat navigated by Joseph Kamya in their Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X came third with 03:57.6. The Pili Pili rally team gave a glimpse on what they have in store for the main event.
Kenya’s Hamza Anwar navigated by Din Adnan had the fourth best time of 03:59.0 in their Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X and in fifth was Wahome Jeremiah navigated by Okundi Victor in their Ford Fiesta R3 with 04:03.2. The foreign crews were delighted by the cheerful and vibrant motorsport fan base who came out in big numbers. The common comment made by almost all crews was the Ugandan fans are not like any other rally fans.
Yasin Nasser navigated by Ali Katumba were sixth in their Subaru Impreza colorful in the Uganda Airlines logos on their car with 04:06.3. Rwanda’s Giancarlo Davite navigated by Sylvia Vindevogel were seventh with 04:19.9 in their Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X. The only female driver taking part, Kenya’s Maxine Wahome navigated by Waigwa Murage were eighth with 04:29.5 in a Subaru Impreza; McRae Kimathi navigated by Kioni Mwangi were ninth with 04:34.7 in their Ford Fiesta R3. Kimathi is slated to take part in the upcoming WRC Vodafone Rally de Portugal from 19 to 22 May, competing in the junior category. He also took part in Rally Sweden and Croatia. Completing the ten scoring cars was Uganda’s Kaka Jnr Mahender Singh navigated by Sirajih Kyambade with 04:54.2 in a Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X.
The ceremonial start or flagging off was held in the evening and had Honorable Amama Mbabazi as a chief guest, who said it was an honor for him to be included as he has been a fan of rallying since he was a child. The start order was released and car number one for Leg one will be Kenyan Jeremiah Wahome followed by Hamza Anwar, Jas Mangat, Karan Patel, Leroy Gomes, Yasin Nasser, Giancarlo Davite, then Maxine Wahome. In the national rally teams, Fred Busuulwa will be the first, followed by Hassan Alwi and Duncan Mubiru, who unfortunately rolled his Ford Fiesta Proto during shakedown.
Two crews in the ARC sadly withdrew from the event; Kenya’s Nikhil Sachania and co-driver Patel Deep due to personal issues as well as Amaanraj Rai and co-driver Panesar Gurdeep. The pearl rally will be live on Sanyuka TV and Afro mobile as the competitors take on the unpredictable weather changes as we welcome back this prestigious event.
