Ugandan crew of Yasin Nasser and Ali Katumba finally broke the three-year Tanzania Rally jinx over the weekend after finishing third at this year’s event.
The weekend heroic finish stirred delight in the pair who were driving Subaru GVB.
“We finally made it to the podium after not finishing there for the past three outings here, but we are so glad that Allah has seen us through,” said Nasser after being announced third.
“I am thankful to my sponsors, fans who made their way to Tanzania to support us and of course my whole team for the tireless work they have done,” added Nasser.
The Moil-sponsored driver explained that, they are to handle each rally at ago, with now three rounds left.
Uganda would have been the next stop for ARC drivers in August, unfortunately organisers have asked the world body, FIA to have the event postponed due to the Covid-19 lockdown.
The Federation of Motorsport Clubs of Uganda (FMU) formally wrote to FIA through the continental body, CAMS to extend the Pearl of Africa Rally for a further date on calendar, however a response is yet to be recieved.
Kenya’s Carl Tundo now resumes lead of the African Championship with 60 points after winning the Oryx Rally with best time of two hours Seven minutes, 36 seconds.
Fellow countryman Karan Patel managed a second place finish with time of two hours, 10:35 seconds as Yasin Nasser sealed the top three slots with third best time of two hours 21minutes, 33 seconds.
Earlier leader Guy Boterill from South Africa who finished fourth in Tanzania, in time of two hours, 22 minutes and 49 seconds now lies seconds with 49 points on Continental Championship as Uganda’s Yasin Nasser is third with 28 points.
Zambia is next in the grid until September, that will be followed by Rwanda Mountain Gorila Rally in October and South Africa last, if Uganda is not fixed to another date this year.
Credit: FRANK SERUGO, UBENA-TANZANIA
