Jas Mangat retained the national rally championship title after clinching victory in the 2013 Independence rally.
Mangat, cruising a Subaru N12 went into the race 199 points clear of Ronald Ssebuguzi in the NRC standings and all he wanted was to finish in the top six positions but went on to beat fellow competitors by clocking 1:31:41 beating second placed Geoffrey Kiyaga by five minutes while Satvinder Singh finished third after clocking 1:40:22.
Mangat who also leads the Africa Rally Championship standings with 83 points two ahead of Zambian Jassy Singh went into the section under no pressure as fierce rival for the national title Ronald Ssebuguzi only opted for the Super special stage.
After retaining the title, Mangat now shifts focus to the Madagascar rally which he aims to win in order to win the African title.
Mangat Joins the distinguished list of local rally drivers to retain the national title following in the footsteps of Jimmy Dean (1987-88), Sam Ssali (1989-1992), Karim Hirji (1993-95), Emma Kato (1996-97) and Charlie Lubega (2000 – 2004).
In case he goes on to win the Madagascar rally, he will join Charles Muhangi as the only Ugandan driver to win an African title. Muhangi was Africa’s Champion in 1999.
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
Edison Munghereza 1:52.29
Mansur Lubega 1:54.29
Wilber Pole Pole 2:12.17
NRC standings
Jas Mangat 535 points
Ronald Mangat 236
ARC Standings:
Jas Mangat (UGA) 83 points
Jassy Singh (ZAM) 81
Giancarlo Davite (RWA) 58
