Mangat triumphs but it’s Kikankane’s eyes on NRC title

Three-time national champion Jas Mangat and co-driver Joseph Kamya cruised their Mitsubishi Evo X to victory in the Uganda Motor Club Kassanda rally on Saturday.

The Mityana event was the second of the 2021 calendar year that stretches back to 2020 when motorsport was suspended due to Covid-19 pandemic.

It was the fourth event of a staggered season stretching back to February 2020 in which period Duncan ‘Kikankane’ Mubiru has been the most consistent.

Even as Mangat clocked a time of 1:23.34 seconds, two minutes clear of Mubiru, the latter held on to second place to build his National Rally Championship (NRC) lead.

Fans’ favourite Mubiru, co-driven by Musa Nsubuga, collected 80 points to move to 270, 40 clear of Hassan Alwi Jnr.
He had a 10-point lead going into the event where fans were not allowed due to the need to hold safe rallies as per the Covid-19 health protocols.

 “I’m happy with the way the car behaved. We enjoyed the sections. They are nice and closed to the public which allowed us to enjoy,” Mubiru, who drove a Subaru Impreza GVB, said.

“Our target is to collect as many points and possible, including the 140 points in the Pearl of Africa Uganda Rally.”
Mangat won five of the six competitive sections in the Kassanda sugar plantations whose organisation thrilled the drivers so much that some praised the rally for being financially-friendly.

“There were no boda bodas [on the race routes]. This has been one of the best events. It had a mix of rough and smooth sections,” he said.

“We enjoyed it and we are looking forward to better performance as we try to regain our pace. As you know, we have been out of active racing for a year.” 

Rajiv Ruparelia, in a VW Proto, came third. This was his second NRC finish since joining the top guns in 2020.

“We have been waiting for this moment for almost a year. Finally, God has answered our prayers and we are going to build on this as we look forward to better results,” Ruparelia.

Lwakataka bows out
Legend Chalie Lubega was spotted eating dust as his son, Mark Lubega, and Unisan Bakunda, in Subaru Impreza N10, beat all odds to win the Clubman rally championship category.

In the two-wheel drive category, Ibrahim Lubega, in a Toyota FX, triumphed with Faisal Kayira in second place.
Of the 23 cars that started the event, only 12 got the flying finish.

Two-time national champion Ponsiano Lwakataka, who talked big before the event, failed to finish after blowing the engine of his Subaru Impreza N12B in the first section.

Results- top 3
1.J.Mangat    1:23:34
2.D.Mubiru    1:25:59
3.R.Rajiv    1:29:21
NRC STANDINGS
1.D. Mubiru    270pts
2.H. Alwi    230
3.F.Busulwa    225
4.O.Mayanja    200