Former Tanzania National Rally Champion Dharam Pandya has his sight firmly set on achieving a top position as he debuts in the Pearl of Africa Rally this weekend.
Pandya and Kenya’s Manvir Baryan make the only foreigner in a dominantly local crews list.
It will be Pandya’s first-ever event out of Tanzania and he hopes to make the best out of it.
“I have always wanted to race in Uganda. I was there in 2002 for the East African Classic rally but only as a service crew and I dreamt of driving in the awesome red soil with sugar plantation and all the greenery.
“My dreams come true after seventeen years.
“I plan to put up a strong performance since we have a good car and strong support. It will be flat out all through and we would be very happy with a podium finish,” said Pandya.
Pandya also hopes to pick some positives from the Uganda outing.
“Pearl rally will surely provide a great ground for good competition given a long list of crews and the amazing fans. Going through the stages in plantations will be a bonus to my experience in such a tight race.
“I would like to thank the Tanzania motorsport family that made it possible for us to travel to Uganda along with my sponsors; Toyota Tanzania and Puma.
“I go to Uganda very focused to raise the Tanzanian flag up to the podium,” he asserted.
Rantanveer Darbar will co-driver Pandya in the Subaru VAB.