By Andrew Irumba
Rally champions Rajiv Ruparelia and Yassin Nasser are the main actors who took every one by storm in this year’s Total Kabalega rally in Hoima district held this weekend.
The rally which kicked off Saturday October 19,2019 and is continuing throughout Sunday saw city tycoon Rajiv Ruparelia and Yassin emerge the top two, after finishing the first round neck on neck.
Whereas Rijiv and his co-driver Enock Olinga finished first with 23 Mins :52 seconds, Yassin and his co-driver Ali Katumba finished closely behind them with 23 Mins and 59 seconds.
Other drivers drivers scored as follows; Arthur Blick 24:11, Ronald Sebuguzi 24:22, Duncan Mubiru 24:31, Omar Mayanja 24:37, Abdul Kateete 25:17, Dr Ashiraf 26:43
Given the results above, it is apt to say Rajiv, who was driving his Golf VW Proto number UBF 801H, won the third stage of Total Kabalega rally beating, 39 competitors who participated. However, some sections of the media had initially claimed that Yassin took the day/
While commenting about the rally, Rajiv said; “We have enjoyed the day. It was my first time to drive this car in a big event and so far we are happy with the performance.”
He added that “Our main target is to finish the event tomorrow and add on the experience.” The Crews are set to cover six stages with a total distance of 140kilometres.
Manvir Baryan won stage one after he posted 3:17, Jas Mangat 3:20, Hassan Alwi 3:22, Dharam Pandya3:22, Ronald Sebuguzi 3:28, Christakis Fitidis 3:32, Kepher Walube 3:40, Ponsiano Lwakataka 3:46
In stage two Raul emerged the winner 17:26, Alwi 17:27, Duncan 17:31, Seb 17:41, Yassin 17:41, Arthur 17:42, Omar 18:19, Rajiv 23:53.
It should be noted that depsite being new in the motor rally sport, Rajiv is fast turning into a remarkable rally driver, especially ever since he won the Federation of Motorsport Clubs of Uganda (FMU) Autocross championship that was held in Kayunga districr in June, despite having joined rally driving in April this year.
Meanwhile, during the Kabalega rally, Ismail Waligo experienced engine failure in the super special stage and opted out, while Ponsiano Lwakataka pulled out in CS2 due to Turbo issues. Raul rammed into a Tree and bowed out of the race, while Sadat Negomba lost control due to the slippery road and almost plunged in the river, whereas Ambrose Byona, Jas Mangat, Ronald Sebuguzi could not finish due to engine failures.
On the other hand Samuel Watendwa rolled in the first stage of the rally and had to pull out too.
