Kenyan clinches Pearl Rally, African top prize

Caps: Chatthe (2nd R) and his navigator Greg Thorley (L) in joyous mood after winning the Pearly Rally and Africa Rally Championship on Saturday. PHOTO BY Faiswal Kasirye

What you need to know:

Rallying. Andrew Desh Kananura emerges Uganda’s best performer in the event after taking second position. Kananura now wants to pursue the NRC title next year

Mubende.

Jaspreet Singh Chatthe killed two birds with one stone at the weekend, winning the V-Power Pearl of Africa Uganda Rally as well the African title.

The Kenyan, navigated by Greg Thorley, clocked 2:35:55 hours to win the Pearl Rally in Mubende and deny Ugandan Desh Kananura a surprise victory. Kananura, co-driven by Moses Matovu, finished second in 2:47:37. With his biggest rival to the Africa Rally Championship (ARC) title, Zambian Jassy Singh, having dropped out early in the day, Chatthe seized the opportunity to secure the continental crown with one calender event left.

“I have not only finished the event (Pearl Rally) for the first time in four attempts but I have won it,” the 39-year old Kenyan told Daily Monitor. The most-refreshing performance of the two-day event, though came from Kananura, who showed he has come of age by finishing second in only his sixth event.

Navigated by veteran Moses Matovu in a Subaru N14, Kananura clocked 2:47:37, over 11 minutes behind Chatthe. He was the best in the National Rally Championship (NRC) category.

“I have set my sights on next year’s NRC title. This has been a learning curve for me,” Kananura said. Arthur Blick Junior and Unisan Bakunda continued their stroll to the NRC title, however, despite finishing fourth (2:52:00) just behind Duncan Mubiru/Joseph Nongole (2:49:57).

in finishing fourth, Blick was made to wait a little longer before he can celebrate his maiden NRC title. “It would have been befitting to clinch the NRC title this weekend but let us wait for the next event,” the Shell Helix-sponsored Blick said.
His Mubende performance moved him to 444 points in the NRC standings with his closest challenger Mubiru on 280. Blick now needs only 50 points from the last two events to win the title.
The Pearl Rally had a competitive distance of 205.87km. The Independence Rally in October is the next NRC event.

Vivo Energy, Insurance Company of East Africa (ICEA), Integrated Security Solutions Ltd, City Ambulance, Silver Springs Hotel, Fire and Safety Appliances, Agha Khan Hospital, Swat Security, Balton (U) Ltd, Hima Cement and UPDF were the Pearl Rally sponsors.

PEARL RALLY FINAL RESULTS

1. Jaspreet Chatthe / Greg Thorley 2:35:55
2. Desh Kananura / Moses Matovu 2:47:37
3. Duncan Mubiru/ Joseph Bongole 2:49:57
4. Arthur Blick / Unnisan Bakunda 2:52:00
5.Ronald Sebuguzi / Cedric Buzabo 2:55:44
6.Susan Muwonge / E. Kyeyune 3:03:14
7. Ambrose Byoona / K. Lubambula 3:16:51
8.John Mpiima/D. Sebugwawo 3:25:11
9.Edison Mungyereza / Bob Felix 3:25:17
10.Dr Ashraf / Peter Stone 3:25

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