Ahmed Huwel took an extraordinary home victory as the third round of the Tanzania Rally Championship took course in Iringa last weekend.
The Ford Proto driver was unstoppable throughout the two day event, winning three of four stages on day one.
Co-driven by Ireland’s Grey McElhinney, Huwel put up an even commanding display on the final day winning every stage.
The Mkwawa rally driver fared through the 111.40kilometre distance in the fastest time of 1hr 25minutes and 51seconds to secure his first victory of the year.
“It has been a great event. Well organized, good stages. I am sure everyone enjoyed.
“The competition was really tough especially between Muna Singh. He was on my back all the time. The other drivers were equally pushing. But we managed to maintain the pace to the end.
“I am really glad to have won at home. Many thanks to my co-driver and the service crew,” said Huwel.
Huwel secured maximum 25 points to tie at the top of the TNRC leaderboard with Gurjit Singh. Both now lead with 43 points.
“The victory puts us in a good position on the championship. But it’s so early to determine our chances on the title yet.
“The battle is still open and tight between other crews like Gurjit and Dharam. But we shall keep the title battle in mind,” added Huwel.
Zambia’s rally champion Muna Singh Jr was equally impressive; spicing up the competition for the overall top positions in Iringa.
The Zambian never placed a foot wrong as he pursued Huwel despite finishing two minutes and 20seconds behind the winner.
“It was a nice, technical and twisty roads with great organization. It’s a rally I see myself doing yearly.
“Despite the minor problems which our service crew managed to fix. We were keep in the rally to go second overall,” commented Muna via his Facebook page.
Gurjit Singh kept his title ambitions alive finishing third overall.
Dharam Pandya finished in fourth position overall to keep within the title race. Pandya is only three points behind the championship leaders; Huwel and Gurjit.
The Iringa rally however claimed some scalps. Uganda’s Adam Rauf Essa had his contention limited in the tenth stage with mechanical issues.
Nadeem Daud too had his great performance restricted with a broken drive shaft in the eighth stage.
Gurpal Singh, Randeep Singh, Rajpal Singh did not complete the event.
Top five TNRC standings
1. Gurjit Singh 43points
=Ahmed Huwel 43
3.Dharam Pandya 40
4.Tufail Tufail 31
5.Rajpal Singh 26