KAMPALA.
Day two of the Shell V-Power Pearl of Africa Uganda Rally always has twists and turns. It wont be an be exception this time round according to Zambia ace Mohammed Essa (pic left), winner of the 2012 edition.
“Last year I was on course to record a back-to-back victory when I broke the suspension and Jas (Mangat) won,” the former Africa Rally champion told Saturday Monitor.
However, the 24 year- old Zambian thinks this year event might be different because there is a lot at stake for the ARC title. “Any slight mistake and the chance of winning the title evaporates. The championship is at a critical stage. It is very different now than two months ago when I was 25 points behind. Now one point separates the top two.” The title is going all the way.”
Meanwhile David Sihoka is a navigator associated with champions having helped Zambia’s Muna Singh to two ARC titles, and the latter’s son Jassy Singh to last’s year continental title.
His mission this year is to guide Kenyan driver Jaspreet Chatthe to victory. The Kenyan lies third, 18 points behind the leader Gary Chaynes, but Sihoka thinks it will have to take a turn around to land the title. “We are outsiders but anything can happen,” he said.
Driver will hit the road this morning at 6.45am to tackle eight competitive sections (CS) spread over 242.08km in Semuto and Masulita in Luwero district. The first car is expected to finis at Silver Springs Hotel at around 4.30pm after completing a total of 557.60km.
Winners since 2009
2009- Riyaz Kurji (Kenya, RIP)
2010- James Whyte (Zimbabwe)
2011- Ponsiano Lwakataka
2012- Muhammed Essa (Zambia)
2013- Jas Mangat
ARC Standings
Gary Chaynes (Ivory Coast) – 76
Mohamed Essa (Zambia) – 75
Jaspreet Chatthe (Kenya) – 58
Giancarlo Davite (Rwanda) – 27
Abdu Sempebwa (Uganda) – 18
Courtesy of monitor.co.ug