Pearl of Africa Uganda Rally

KCB POAUR 2010 : My Top 10

A new route and new cars make this year’s edition of the KCB Pearl of Africa Uganda Rally anyone’s rally however, it remains to be seen how the under-dogs and dark horses will perform on the day. While the record book tips a local to win, the form book suggests otherwise. I don’t know who will win but these are the boys and girls I will be watching. In reverse order;

10 - Young Shafik Ssemujju is a crowd favorite at the super special stage and will not disappoint his fans. When it comes to the rally proper however, he will be under firm instructions from dear daddy to just bring the car to the finish.

9 - As far as fast chicks go, Susan Muwonge is the “man”! She has intimated that her car is not in tip-top condition and that she is driving for a finish but I hope she is lying!!! Susan is capable of mixing it with the boys and am looking forward to top stage times from her.

8 - 1999 African Rally Champion Charles Muhangi returns to the fray with the car that has never let him down. He will need to exchange notes with Emmanuel Katto who raced, retired and returned only to find that the Group N-generation cars are not so easy to beat – when you are not driving a Group A. Make no mistake – the N12 is probably the most advanced car on the entry list but with his car arriving rather late I will not be surprised if Muhangi is humbled by light weight competition.

7 - Nasser Mutebi is one such light weight competitor having only graduated from clubman competition this year and driving probably the oldest car on the entry list. But Nasser knows that preparation and tactics in combination with a competitive spirit will take you further than a shiny new kit. Nasser’s problem however, remains lack of experience.

6 - In his first serious assault on the ARC, Giancarlo Davite is looking good for the championship after 2 rounds. He has relative experience of Ugandan roads and is visibly quick. However, the man he is chasing is none other than Jamie Whyte and to beat him, he will have to find the speed of Riyaz Kurji, which will cost him reliability.

5 - Jas Mangat has not been so lucky this year. But he has home advantage and a powerful car. However, in order to keep his hopes up in the ARC, he badly needs to score points in this round and therefore cannot afford to drive on 2 wheels as he did 2 years ago in Mityana.

4- Christakis Fitidis is a legend in Central Africa. An old man like our Charles Muhangi and in a similar car, I think he is one to watch for driving dexterity rather than overall performance

3 - Reigning National Champion Ronald Sebuguzi’s brand new car bolsters his confidence. The new car is faster, handles better and delivers more power and reliability compared to the E4. Sebuguzi is consistent and fun to watch and will be good for the win if he manages to stay in touch with the fastest of the lot even as he tries to learn his new car.

2 - The fastest is none other than Ponsiano Lwakataka who is returning to full time competition after 2 years. Lwakataka is leading the NRC after winning in Mbarara and he reads the Luwero terrain better than anyone else on the entry list. My concern is about the reliability of his car.

1 - My favourite to win this rally is reigning African Rally champion Jamie Whyte who has always found Uganda a happy hunting ground. Although he did not win last year, he was competing fiercely at the top. His current run of fortune in the ARC will bring him the confidence he needs not to put a foot wrong.