By Spy Uganda
Ugandan driver Jas Mangat and co-driver Joseph Kamya are the winners of the 2022 Shell V-Power Pearl of Africa Uganda Rally. The event held this weekend from 6 to 8 May was the third round of the FIA African Rally championship.
Mangat won the opening stage in a rain-interrupted leg one. The Ugandan managed to maintain his pace to claim the victory in spite of treacherous muddy conditions and a late charge from restarters Karen Patel and Tauseef Khan from Kenya.
It was his first Pearl of Africa rally win since 2013 and the first for a local crew since 2016.
“This is an emotional win. It is my first rally this year and my first Pearl win in a very long time. We put in the effort and it has paid off,” said Mangat.
Zambia’s Leroy Gomes/Urshlla Gomes took second place, finishing 5m5s behind. With this podium finish, they continue to lead the FIA African Rally Championship standings with 78 points, ahead of the Kenyan pair of Patel/Khan, who is 33 points behind.
Rwanda’s Giancarlo Davite and navigator Slyvia Vindevogel completed the podium and are third in the overall ARC standings with 38 points.
The duo McRae Kimathi/Kioni Mwangi claimed the ARC Junior category win.
The championship now heads to Tanzania from 22-24 July.
