By James Robert Kayindi
The long awaited Pearl of Africa Rally that is set to run for two days kicks off today. The two-day event (Aug. 15-16) is the sixth round on the African Rally Championship (ARC) calendar. Several foreign drivers jetted into the country yesterday for the event. The foreign drivers that arrived yesterday include top African drivers from Ivory Coast, Zambia, Rwanda and Kenya that are all set to participate in the 2014 Shell V-Power Pearl of Africa Rally.
The foreign team was led by the current ARC leader Gary Chaynes (EvoX) from Ivory Coast and former Africa champion Mohamed Essa ( Subaru N16) from Zambia, the winner of the 14th edition in 2012. These were accompanied by other drivers like Giancarlo Davite (EvoX) from Rwanda, Rajbir Singh Rai (Subaru N16), Manvir Baryan (Subaru N16), Jaspreet Chatte ( EvoX), Dennis Mwenda (Sprinter) and Chandrakat Chhabadhia (Subaru) all from Kenya.
“By finishing ahead of Zambia’s Mohammed Essa whom I lead on the African championship by one point, I will retain the leadership,” Chaynes told Xinhua on Wednesday.
The rally will have 41 drivers that will be competing for the championship among who eight are foreigners and the others local. Two-time national rally champion and last year’s winner, Jas Mangat is expected to be the major threat and challenge to the foreign drivers.
Other local (Ugandan) drivers include; Ronald Ssebuguzi (Evo 1X), Duncan ‘ Kikankane’ Mubiru (Subaru N12B), ‘Super Lady’ Susan Muwonge (Subaru N12B) the 2011 champion, Charles Muhangi ( Subaru), veteran Wycliff Bukenya (Evo IX), Chritakis Fitidis (Subaru N10), Shafiq Ssemujju (Subaru N11) and Godfrey Lubega who is expected to unveil a new Subaru N12. All vehicles were inspected yesterday ahead of the rally.
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