All eyes will be on current National Rally Championship (NRC) standings leader, Duncan ‘Kikankane’ Mubiru as the round two of the season gets underway in Jinja at the Source of the Nile Rally.
Mubiru who won the first round in Mbarara believes that without last year’s winner Jas Mangat and Mafu Mafu driver Ponsiano Lwakataka, he has the opportunity to extend his lead at the top And only thinks of winning in Jinja.
“It’s quite sad that top drivers like Mangat and Ponsiano will miss out but that gives me an opportunity to stretch my lead at the top,” Mubiru told Kawowo Sports ahead of the event that kicks off this Saturday March 22 with scrutineering at Oilcom petrol station as early as 6am before the super special stage at the Jinja Agricultural show ground starting at exactly 2:00pm.
In the absence of Mangat and Lwakataka, two times national champion Ronald Sebuguzi who is second on the NRC standings will be Mubiru’s main rival. The Jomayi sponsored driver who finished second in the season opener at Mbarara will most probably be inspired by the need to avenge that defeat.
Other top drivers ready to give Mubiru and Ssebuguzi a run for their money include former winner Nasser Mutebi, veteran Wycliffe Bukenya, Dr Ahmed Ashraf and Shafik Ssemujju among others.
Clerk of the course Jeff Kabagambe is confident drivers will enjoy the route revealing that its 75 per cent smooth thus he expects maximum speed. The rally will cover a total distance of 270 kilometers, of which 181km are competitive sections to be covered on Sunday, March 23. The 48-kilometre stretch, between Namulesa and Muguluka on Jinja-Kamuli road, is the longest section.
REGISTERED DRIVERS FOR THE EVENT
1. Richard Mandu/ Ivan Serunkuuma – Impreza
2 .Hajji Abdul Sempebwa/ Wamala Francis -(Subaru Impreza N11)
3.Blackwidow Widow/ Shafiq Matovu (Subaru GC8)
4.Dr. Ashraf Ahmed/ Peter Stone – (Subaru N8)
5.Pole Pole Wilbert/ Mike Kigozi – (subaru )
6.Patrick Sebambulidde/ Jude Lubega (subaru)
7.Shafiq Ssemujju/ Hussein Mukuye – (subaru N11)
8.Albert Ofong/ Joe Burua (Subaru N8)
9.Fred Wampamba/ Enoc Oling (Subaru N8)
10.Gilberto Balondemu/ Another -( Toyota Levin)
11.Kamya Jaffari/ Hakim Mawanda – (Subaru)
12.Kyebagadha Salim/ Another – (Toyota Levin)
13.Jamadah Lwabaga/ Another -( Evo 2)
14.Nasser Mutebi/ Bashil Mbogo – (Subaru N8)
15.Jon Consta/ Musa Nsubuga – (Subaru N10)
16.Duncun Mubiru/ Paul Musaazi -(Subaru n14)
17.John Burrows L/ Brian Barrows (Subaru N8)
18.Amir Kaweesa/ Peter Brown -( Evo 2)
19.Isaac Ssozi/L. Katonda –(Subaru)
20.Ismail Otega/David Mwesigwa –( RunX)
21.Phillip King/Aaron Nsamba –(Subaru)
22.Ronald Sebuguzi/Cedric Buzabo –( Evo9)
23.Umar Dauda/Hamza Kakande –( Evo4)
24.Umar Mukiibi/Jefferson Katende –( Evo3)
25.Wycliff Bukenya/George Semakula (Evo9)
26.Patrick Mugisha/Edmond Kyeyune –( Evo8)
27.Edson Mugyereza/Ernest Musiime (Subaru)
28.Mansoor Sanya/Abdalla Nyombi – (Subaru)
29.Kansiime Jonas/Joseph Bongole – (Subaru N10)
30.Umar Mayanja/Leon Ssenyange –( Evo5)
31.Irene Leila Mayanja/Anthony Mugambwa –(Toyota Allex)
32.Issa B Kalyesubula/Innocenti Kashumba – (Subaru)
33.WO2. Ismail Lule/ Joseph Junior – (Subaru)
34.Japtheth Lugayizi/Ali Nsubuga –( Treuno)
35.Joseph Kamya/Johnathan Kaiso – (Subaru Legacy )
36.Abdul Katete/ A N Other – (Subaru)
37.Peter Kakaire/Edward Kiyinji – (Subaru N10)
