Muddy Hoima route has drivers in check
Drivers felt the wrath of CS7-Kitooba that is undergoing repair during the recce. Below Hajji Abu Katete attends to one of the stuck cars.
PHOTO BY JOHN BATANUDDE & COURTESY
What you need to know:
- KABALEGA RALLY. The drivers will tackle 140.79km spread over six competitive sections with CS7-Kitooba (31.52km) the longest while CS6-Bugambe Tea 1 (17.73km) is the shortest.
- The drivers will tackle 140.79km spread over six competitive sections with CS7-Kitooba (31.52km) the longest while CS6-Bugambe Tea 1 (17.73km) is the shortest.
The constant rains in Hoima District are set to be a defining factor as the Total Kabalega Rally 2019 climaxes today, according to drivers and navigators.
The penultimate round on the Federation of Motorsports in Uganda (FMU) calendar enters Day Two with the battle for National Rally Championship (NRC) title at stake.
Heavy rains and road repairs of the CS7-Kitooba (31.52km) area have forced drivers to don their thinking caps and engage ‘Plan B’ mode.
Ali Katumba, co-driver for championship leader Yasin Nasser said they won’t take chances and will drive a calculated race.
“We want to maintain our consistency,” said Katumba.
“We have scored points in each and every round so far this season. We shall let our rivals battle it out. Our task is simple. We only want any podium finish in Hoima.”
Mayanja’s moment
The last time drivers had a wet event was during the 2017 Mbarara Rally that was won by Hajji Umar Mayanja and Hussein Mukuye in an Evo X.
The dynamic duo will once again fancy their chances in Hoima due to the similar conditions.
However, Arthur Blick Jr, the 2015 national champion, proved in Fort Portal that he is equally comfortable in muddy and slippery conditions.
Blick Jr and George Ssemakula, who cruise an Evo X, won the last round in Fort Portal enroute to bouncing back in the championship race and are confident of maintaining the momentum.
“We are going to attack from word go where necessary and back off in the rough areas,” declared the Shell Helix -sponsored driver.
Blick Jr will be making his second appearance in Hoima since 2016 when he was forced to drop out after an engine knock to his Subaru N10.
The drivers will tackle 140.79km spread over six competitive sections with CS7-Kitooba (31.52km) the longest while CS6-Bugambe Tea 1 (17.73km) is the shortest.
NATIONAL RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP
CURRENT STANDINGS
Yasin Nasser 355 points
Ronald Sebuguzi 300
Arthur Blick Jr 285
Hassan Alwi 260
Christakis Fitidis 258
Sections - Day Two
CS4- Musaija Mukuru 21.11km
CS5- World Wide Movers 1 26.35km
CS6-Bugambe Tea 1 17.73km
CS7-Kitooba 31.52km
CS8- World Wide Movers 2 26.35km
CS9-Bugambe Tea 2 17.73km
