Lubega still has belief in Subaru
Formidable machine. Lubega drives a Subaru and is convinced it can compete with the latest NRC Mitsubishis. PHOTO BY JB SSENKUBUGE
What you need to know:
- Champion Jas Mangat and Hassan Alwi, the dominant drivers of 2016 cruise a Mitsubishi Evo.
- X and Subaru N14 respectively. Neither finished the season opener, the Lato Milk Mbarara Rally.
KAMPALA. There is an ongoing evolution in motorsport as more and more drivers are opting for Mitsubishi over Subaru cars.
Subaru was the dominant car on the grid for most of the 90s and beyond that even when Charlie Lubega won multiple national titles in the early 2000s, his Mitsubishi was as an exception.
Many drivers will tell you that their preference for the Subaru is down to the maintenance costs. But even that is changing as many local drivers have opted for Mitsubishi-built machines.
The season’s opening round of the National Rally Championship (NRC) in Mbarara was dominated by Mitsubishi. The top six crews driving the monster called ‘kisodde’ by motorsport enthusiasts.
Omar Mayanja won it from Ronald Ssebuguzi, Duncan Mubiru, Christakis Fitidis, Ambrose Byona and Musa Kabega in that order.
Godfrey ‘Tall man’ Lubega, the best-placed Subaru driver in seventh, insists it’s too early to confirm a handover ahead of this weekend’s Gorilla in the Mist Rally in Kabale.
“The two cars work well in different set ups,” Lubega, winner of the controversial Kabalega Rally last year, said. “My Subaru is certainly better in the rough.”
“Yes the Mitsubishi is faster but that doesn’t mean we can’t compete. I only got problems but was running third or fourth for most of the time,” he told Daily Monitor.
Interestingly, champion Jas Mangat and Hassan Alwi, the dominant drivers of 2016 cruise a Mitsubishi Evo. X and Subaru N14 respectively. Neither finished the season opener, the Lato Milk Mbarara Rally. This weekend, drivers will contend with 13 competitive sections (CS) spread over 178.92km.
On day one (Saturday), nine sections await. The next day brings four more for a total distance of 321km. The event has attracted 37 drivers including three from Rwanda. Byona Executive Travel are bankrolling it to the tune of Sh35.5m. Kabonge Coffee Company, Hima Cement, White Horse Inn, Masolin Signs and Gaz are co-sponsors.
In addition, Lato Milk, Big win Casino, Ferro Mobile, ICEA, Big Zone Entertainment, Voice of Kigezi, Fire and Safety Appliance, Cephas Inn Kabale, Kamuntu Investments, Rusenga Gorilla Camp, Bunyonyi Overland Resort, Mist Bar, Wide World Movers and Jivaji are the others.
