Three-time national rally champion Ronald Sebuguzi says he was more than grateful to secure second place in the season-opening event in Mbarara on Sunday.
Sebuguzi and Anthony Mugambwa in the Ford Fiesta Proto kept their pace in third place through day one.
The Shell crew kept lurking as the top two; Yasin Nasser and Duncan Mubiru exchanged stage times. However, mechanical trouble for Mubiru in the ultimate stage gifted Sebuguzi second place; a satisfying position to open his season.
“We have been lucky this weekend. The car had no power throughout but we managed to push on and be close to the top drivers.
“Getting a second position is good enough for us to start the season. Yasin has now improved on the power so has Duncan and Alwi, keeping among that group and finishing second is worthy,” said Sebuguzi.
Yasin Nasser and Ali Katumba won the Mbarara rally; 4 minutes and 16 seconds ahead of Sebuguzi.
Sebuguzi says his performance in Mbarara will give him momentum to chase for the title this year.
“This season we plan to take it event by event. Now I have finished second, I will go into the second event with focus on victory or maintain a second and carry it on from there,” he added.
Sebuguzi and Mugambwa now have 70 points going into the second NRC event next month.