Siraj Kyambadde will remember the 2019 season opener in Mbarara for more than one reason. He received an unexpected opportunity to seat with a top driver Hassan Alwi and also finished on the podium at the first outting together.
Kyambadde, the former Clubman Rally Championship co-driver champion now looks back at what was a thrilling rally.
“When Alwi took me on. He was a bit skeptical about my experience. He kept telling me that his only dream was to register his career season opening event finish regardless of the position.
“And to me, that was my target helping him finish this event. I am so glad that at the end, it was not just a finish but a hard fought podium finish,” he said.
Kyambadde has had humble beginnigs in rally. The CRC champion started out training in the co-drivers’ academy and later got his first co-driver outing with Edson Mungyereza in a Subaru GC8.
The step to a much faster came camewith its own expectations.
“There was a lot to learn in my transition. It comes with much to adjust to. Alwi partially believed I could do something. And he kept encouraging me.
“I am thankful I could not disappoint and I helped him achieve his long dream of Mbarara rally finish,” he added.
With the season still in its early days, Kyambadde hopes the experience he gains this season will spur him to more.
“I’m only a work in progress. Our plans are bagging as many points as we possibly can for the NRC. I am looking forward to the challenge ahead,” he asserted.
Hassan Alwi and Kyambadde are now third on the NRC standings with 70 points.
Good story Sharifah
Thank you