Pearl Rally not over as crews seek review of results

The just concluded Pearl of Africa Rally could be shrouded with controversy over the inclusion of former national rally champion Ponsiano Lwakataka on the overall results.

Lwakataka suffered mechanical issues after the power stage; the event’s ultimate stage.

Attempts to fix the car failed and eventually, his Subaru Impreza N12 was towed to the service park.

It is alleged that Lwakataka also reached the service park 23 minutes beyond his scheduled time.

That delay carries a penalty which did not reflect on the final results which showed Lwakataka had finished in fifth place overall and third in the national category.

“I don’t know when scenarios like these will cease to happen in our sports,” said a discontent Aaron Nsamba, co-driver to Jon Consta.

“Ponsiano was pulled into service. Everyone knows what that means. Ok, if they say we don’t have evidence, how about his late entry to the service?

“Two cars that were behind Lwakataka reached service, serviced within their ten minutes and proceeded to the ceremonial finish without him anywhere close to the service. Does that also need evidence for the officials to act on?” he added.

Under national competition rules, the alleged infringements are penalized by exclusion and in case of delays to a control; a time penalty.

Competitors too are obligated to protest when unsporting or competition matters arise.

“Honestly we were going to protest. But we had reported all our issues to the Competitions Relations Officer. He saw everything when Lwakataka was delivered at the service, and he assured us that everything was being worked on. He notified the Stewards about the same.

“So we thought the results would be changed by prize giving. But to our dismay, everything remained the same,” explained Nsamba whose crew was sixth overall and fourth in the national category.

The controversial inclusion of Lwakataka on the final results has irked some other competitors as well.

“Our officials yet again have failed to stand their ground in resolution issues,” said Ronald Bukenya; Kansiime’s co-driver.

“Some things do not need rocket science. Lwakataka reached late in service. His penalty would have reflected the same. But nothing. Should we be telling them what to do?” he added.

Kawowo Sports reached out to Ponsiano Lwakataka who denied the claims.

“Motorsport is about evidence. I did my race and finished well. Whoever is saying anything different should bring evidence. They should have protested,” he said.

The unsatisfied crews have now resorted to entering an application to review the results.

“By Tuesday morning, our request to review the results will be logged in. At the moment we are gathering evidence,” said Nsamba.

“One would say that we did not protest, but there is a recent precedent from last month’s Masaka rally. The officials had to revisit the results without any protest logged in,” he added.

Attempts to reach the Clerk of the Course and the Competitors Relations Officer failed. 

Kenya’s Karan Patel won his maiden Pearl rally with Uganda’s Jas Mangat coming second followed by Hamza Anwar from Kenya. 

Ronald Sebuguzi settled for fourth position overall and second behind Mangat under the national category. 

The Pearl rally was the first round of the African rally championship and third on the national calendar.