Local drivers battle foreign crews

Motorsport. Mohammed Essa will take on Duncan ‘Kikankane’ Mubiru during the first run, then two-time national champion Ronald Ssebuguzi in the second before squaring off with current national champion Jas Mangat.

KAMPALA.

For rally enthusiasts, the novelty of Mbarara Motor Club sprint at Lubiri today is sure to cause an adrenaline rush. Organisers of the Ecobank-sponsored event have brought in an impressive number of foreign drivers to add glamour. The foreign legion will be led by African champion Muhammed Essa. The Zambian is scheduled to race with a host of Uganda’s top drivers. On schedule for Essa are three duels; against Duncan ‘Kikankane Mubiru’, two-time national champion Ronald Ssebuguzi and new champion Jas Mangat.

“This arrangement,” said event coordinator George Ssemakula “will give fans value for their money as the individuals lined up against Essa are the best around today.”
The sprint will feature local ladies led by 2011 national champion Susan ‘ Super Lady’ Muwonge. She will lock horns with Kenya’s best, Stella Macharia, while Rose Lwakataka will clash with Eline Voojis of Tanzania.

Other key battles are Kenya’s Assad Anwar against Shafik Ssemujju, Ssebuguzi versus Mangat and Nasser Mutebi on opposite ends with John Consta. Rwanda’s Christakis Fitidis faces off with Lwakataka while Wycliff Bukenya’s opponent is Elefter Mitraros. There also drivers from Burundi as well as Tanzania.

The event will have three rounds; two are official in which drivers will score points.
The third run will involve the best 16 drivers from the first two heats.
They will be in eight pairs. The winning crew will walk away with the Riyaz Kurji/Abed Musa trophy, with the runner-up crew set to receive a prize named in honour of Jimmy Dean/ Paddy Blick. The third-placed crew will settle for the Gerald Kiddu/Denis Okori gong.
The event is also sponsored by Fire and Safety Appliances Ltd, Sema Properties Ltd and Kanu Connection.

fmusisi@ug.nationmedia.com