The first round of the National Rally Championship (NRC) went down over the weekend in Mbarara city, and it was all about Jas Mangat and co-driver Enoch Olinga in their Hyundai i20. The crew dominated the event from day one to the end and put on a spectacular performance in their debut NRC event. Mangat did a total time of 1:10:23:84 in a total competitive distance of 139.56km. All eyes were peeled on the crew and the i20 (the first of its kind in Uganda and the second in Africa) The fans were treated to incredible speed times as Mangat won seven out of the eight stages in the event (came in second in one) and the power stage and led with a significant time difference from the crew that came in second place; 0:09:57:29. Mangat also won the premier division.
It was an exceptional treat for the fans, who came out in droves to see their favorites for the season opener, and out of the thirty-nine entries that were put in, thirty made it to the start list for day one. Yasin Nasser did not take part in the event as he is preparing for the first round of the Kenya National Rally Championship that starts on 16 February in Eldoret. Duncan Mubiru also did not take part in the event as well as Michael Mukula Jr, Kalule Peter, Gilberto Balondemu, Issa Nyanzi, Unissan Bakunda, Byron Rugomoka, and Brian Kavuma.
Finishing in overall second place was Jonas Kansiime and co-driver Ronald Bukenya in their Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 8 with a total time of 1:20:21:13. The team put on a really good performance right from day one and maintained it throughout the second day even navigating a risky situation where Fred Busulwa Kitaka was stuck in the section in a corner; they came in second in SS1 & SS2, third in SSS3B, SS5, SS6 & SS7. Kansiime led the division one category as well.
Never to be counted out, Ponsiano Lwakataka finished in third with co-driver Paul Musaazi in their Subaru Impreza N12B; Lwakataka finished day one in ninth place but came through for day two with his competitive nature and even won one stage (SS5). The team did a time of 1:20:48:45. Lwakataka is one of the most driven and competitive drivers in motorsport and possesses an element of surprise as he has said before, “When am in an event, I come to compete.” The crew had a time difference of only 0:00:27:32 between them and Kansiime/Bukenya. Lwakataka placed second behind Mangat in the premier division.
The 2WD category was won by Edward Kirumira and co-driver Shakirah Nabwami as the crew finished in eighth place overall in their Toyota Corona. Didas Matsiko co-driven by Alfred Mutanda won the division two class.
The next event will be held in the Greater Masaka region for round two organized by Southern Motor Club (SMC) in April.
Overall Results:
- Jas Mangat/Enoch Olinga-Hyundai i20-1:10:23:84
- Jonas Kansiime/Ronald Bukenya-Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 8-1:20:21:13
- Ponsiano Lwakataka/Paul Musaazi-Subaru Impreza N12 B-1:20:48:45
- Dr. Moustapha Mukasa/Lawrence Mwambazi-Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9-1:30:37:80
- Didas Matsiko/Alfred Mutanda-Subaru Impreza-1:31:06:74
- Joshua Muwanguzi/Hamza Lwanga-Subaru Impreza N12-1:31:39:46
- Isaac Ssozi/Monica Birwinyo-Subaru Impreza N8-1:41:16:36
- Edward Kirumira/Shakirah Nabwami-Toyota Corona-1:41:45:62
- Moses Okello/Ismail Musoke-Toyota Vitz-1:45:32:65
- Ibrahim Lubega/Robert Katabalwa-Toyota FX-1:47:48:27
- Samuel Watendwa/Alvin Francis Luyimbazi-Toyota FX-1:47:49:43
- Ronald Ssebuguzi/Anthony Mugambwa-Ford Fiesta Proto-1:50:24:73
- Dr. Godfrey Nsereko/JB Musisi-Toyota Run X-1:51:01:33
- Amiri Kavuma/Doreen Nabira-Subaru Impreza-1:52:40:97
- Faizal Kayira/Hakim Kamoga-Subaru Impreza-1:54:06:53
- Salim Gasemba/Emmanuel Mugulusi-Subaru Impreza N12-2:03:05:52
- Julius Semambo/Diana Nagawa-Toyota FX-2:14:16:43
