2011 Nile Special-Uspa sportsman of the year Susan Muwonge cruises in an NRC event last year. Muwonge started the 2012 season slowly and will be seeking an improvement in this weekend’s rally. She is currently on 45 points in the NRC race, 55 behind leader Mangat. The race this year promises to be as close as ever. Photo by Ismail Kezaala
Races are not decided at sprints but on days like this. Drivers did shave only 8km in two runs of the total 246km that awaits them.
The Rwandese crew of Christakis Fitidis amd Eric Maxime hit the road first in their Subaru N12 this morning heading to the Kyabakuza-Kyandala section (20km). With Wyclif Bukenya (Subaru N12) and two-time national champion Ronald Ssebuguzi (Mitsubishi Evo. 9) chasing in that order, the cars head to longest section from Bukeeri-Kidda worth 40.4km.
Duncan Mubiru, commonly known as Kikankane, in a Subaru N14, joins the party just as the survivors head to Kirindi-Father Ngobya Kitovu. This section is the shortest at 6.4km.
The checkered flag can be seen at the end of the final competitive section worth 25km from Kiyumba-Kidda. In total, drivers will do four competitive sections which will be repeated for 178km and another 68km in transport.
Since National Rally Championship (NRC) leader Jas Mangat opted to skip this event, the second on the calendar, the takers are many.
Fitidis, Bukenya, Ssebuguzi, Mubiru and reigning national champion Susan Muwonge (Subaru N10) have the opportunity to pounce.
The ramp is littered with former champions as Nasser Mutebi (Subaru N8), the driver Muwonge dethroned, joining the fray in seventh just ahead of Dr. Ahmed Ashraf in a similar ride. The latter won the national title three years ago.
By Fred Musisi Kiyingi, Daily Monitor
