Local drivers asked to go for Pearl Rally podium sweep

KAMPALA.

Federation of Motorsport Clubs of Uganda (FMU) boss wants local drivers to sweep the Pearl of Africa Uganda Rally later this month.

According to Dusman Okee, Ugandan drivers have the right tools to compete with foreigners when the fourth round of the Africa Rally Championship roars off on June 30 at Busiika Motorsport Arena. Surviving drivers will then head to Kayunga on Saturday July 1 for the final leg.

“I want to do a sweep of the event. If we have our own drivers as one, two and three on the podium that will the biggest success,” Okee said at a pompous launch in Kampala. “Unlike before, we have tested the route and drivers also got that chance during the FMU Challenge Rally so I hope they can convert that advantage,” he added.

The route designed by course clerk Jeff Kabagambe will see drivers return to Kayunga with the race concentrated in the plantation owned by Sugar Corporation of Uganda Limited.

FMU can only conduct events of this magnitude on private land due to FIA safety standards.

This is the fifth year running that Vivo Energy, through their Shell V-Power flagship brand, are backing the biggest event on the calendar with Shs100m in sponsorship.

High standards
Vivo Energy managing director Gilbert Assi reiterated their commitment to maintaining high safety standards. “I call upon drivers, spectators and the general public to observe the safety measure put in place,” Assi said.
“We are here to celebrate excellence in motorsport,” Assi noted.

If the pomp at the official launch is anything to go by, this year’s Pearl of Uganda Rally will be more than just a treat.

The motorsport fraternity came in droves making Shell Bugolobi flood in a manner similar to an event’s Super Special Stage.

Drivers Ronald Ssebuguzi, Arthur Blick Junior and Omar Mayanja brought their roaring machines too as the Federation of Motosport Clubs of Uganda (FMU) received the sponsorship from Vivo Energy.

While Ssebuguzi won the FMU Challenge Rally, he has never won the Pearl event. Hassan Alwi Junior’s triumph was the first by a Ugandan driver since Ponsiano Lwakataka managed the feat in 2011.

By close of yesterday, as many as 22 local drivers had registered while ARC standings leader, Kenyan Jaspreet Chatthe, has confirmed his participation.

Alwi Junior, Duncan Mubiru, Yasin Nasser, Christakis Fitidis and Kepher Walubi are the Ugandans registered for the 2017 ARC.