Yasin Nasser and Jas Mangat will represent Uganda at the second round of the Africa rally championship in Kenya next weekend.
The duo were flagged off by the National Council of Sports (NCS) in Lugogo on Friday.
The representing crews will be opening their accounts in the race for the African Rally Championship title after missing out on the first round in Cote d’Ivoire last month.
Both Yasin and Mangat have previously had success in the continental championship, coming off as champions in the ARC2 title; a category for the Group N cars. Yasin won it in 2021 while Mangat is the reigning category champion.
Yasin who will have co-driver Ali Katumba calling the notes has since upgraded to a Ford Fiesta Rally5 for the continental bid.
At the flag-off, Yasin urged the NCS to consider sponsoring more crews for ARC events.
“As we go to Kenya to compete for ARC. It is not only about us but also the country. I believe many crews wanted to compete but failed to make it because of finances.
“NCS should consider giving some sponsorship to such crews to create a big block for Uganda in ARC,” said Yasin.
Yasin further stated that he is optimistic ahead of the Equator Rally.
“The ARC stage is a familiar ground for us. We have competed in several ARC events but in Voi, we are going more stronger targeting top finishes,” he added.
Jas Mangat and Joseph Kamya will run a Mitsubishi EvoX in Voi.
“We are heading to Kenya for a win,” asserted co-driver Kamya at the flag-off.
“Our challenge for the 2023 Africa rally championship starts in Voi, so we are going to drive with a purpose,” he added.
The crews will be battling for the ARC points with Kenyan crews of Karan Patel, Aakif Virani, Pierro Cannobio among others.
This year’s Equator Rally moved from Naivasha to Voi near the Indian Ocean coast.