Umar Dauda Wins The Ultimate National Rally Championship (NRC) Round in Fort Portal

The ultimate round on the National Rally Championship (NRC) calendar was won by Umar Dauda and co-driver Steven Bunya in their Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX in a total time of 1:40:41:14. With his smart and strategic driving, Dauda won four of twelve stages (SS6, SS8, SS10, and SS11), was second in one (SS3), and third in two (SSS5A, and SS7). Dauda is one of the most consistent and seasoned drivers; this was his first win this season. He also won the Premier class. Dauda who was sixth on the standings will now be propelled to fourth place.

Umar Dauda going passed fans in stage in his Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX. Photo Credit: Innocent Mutaawe.

Byron Rugomoka and co-driver Hakim Mawanda finished in second place with a time of 1:41:15:48 in their Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X; there was a time difference of 0:00:34:34 between Rugomoka and Dauda. The former NRC champion won two stages (SS4, and SS7), came in second in SS6, and was third in SS8, SS9, and SS10.

Byron Rugomoka and co-driver Hakim Mawanda in their Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X in the super special stage at Kyakaigo Sports Arena. Photo Credit: Innocent Mutaawe.

Closing out the podium, was guest driver Abasi Ssebunya and co-driver Maris Neiksans, the crew was impressive throughout the event and left quite a mark on the local fans and drivers alike. Ssebunya did a time of 1:44:57:49 in a Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X. For his first time competing in Uganda, the US-based native surely had a spectacular performance debut winning the very first stage of the event. They were second in SS7, and SS8, and third in SS6.

Peter Kalule navigated by David Mwesigwa finished fourth and were the winners of the Division One category, and Fred Busulwa Kitaka navigated by Joseph Bogole closed out the top five. Rashid Makumbi won the Division Two category with co-driver Yusuf Babu Jr.

Fans came out to support their favorites at Kyakaigo for the super special stage. Photo Credit: Innocent Mutaawe.

The 2WD category had three finishers and was won by Samuel Watendwa navigated by Hamza Lwanga, this was Watendwa’s first-ever win in the 2WD class which he has competed in for quite a while. Ibrahim Lubega and co-driver Mustapha Kanakulya finished in second and Julius Ssemambo navigated by Diana Nagawa finished in third place.

Making a statement of his own was Yasser Ali Omar, winning the Clubman Rally Championship (CRC) class with co-driver brother Wazir Omar in their Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX with a time of 1:23:51:19; they scored a stage win in SS2 which shows the young men keep getting better with every event they take part in; this was their first win this season. Haruna Katazza navigated by Mariam Nambasa was second in their Subaru Impreza with a time of 1:26:19:68 and Joshua Muwanguzi navigated by Asuman Muhammad closed out the podium in third in their Subaru Impreza with a time of 1:34:26:15, Muwanguzi scored a stage win in SS3. Patrick Ruyonga navigated by Phinehas Mungufeni finished fourth and closed out the class in their Corolla FX at 2:06:19:19.

The next NRC season will kick off in February 2024 as the drivers wait to be crowned and awarded in the different categories for this season.

Overall Results: