More seasoned rally drivers have confirmed they will participate in this year’s Shell Pearl Rally.
Sponsors Vivo Energy Uganda, the distributors and marketers of Shell-branded fuels and lubricants today boasted the event with a Shs100million sponsorship unveiled at Shell Bugolobi, Kampala. They sponsor Arthur Blick, Eric Sebuguzi and motorbike wiz Maxim Van pee.
This year, the Pearl of Africa Rally will come mid season on June 30th-2nd July.
Kayunga district will play the new host of this year’s edition of ARC and unlike in the past, the event will open with a competitive section (CS) Nakufuma (18km) in the morning of June 30, before cars go to Busiika for two runs (4.36km) of Super Special Stage. The following day (Saturday) drivers will tackle 10CS spread over 212.64km.
The two-day event is expected to cover a total competitive distance of 212.64kilometres.
Over ten ARC contenders from different countries are expected to resume the title battle as the championship gets half way after three events of the seven rounds.
A Zambian couple of Leroy Gomes and Urshlla Gomes debutants on Africa Rally Championship (ARC) race and in Uganda, are top finish in the ARC category will guarantee them high hopes of their maiden ARC title.
They join Ugandan crews of Ronald Ssebuguzi/ Leon Ssenyange and Duncan ‘Kikankane’ Mubiru/George Ssemakula, Ambrose Byona/ Derrick Lubambula, Musa Kabega/ Rogers Ssirwomu ( Evo IX) and Yusuf Bukenya/ Frank Sserugo, all in Evo IX cars among others.
Previous Pearl Rally winners in the past six years.
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2011 Ponsiano Lwakataka (Uganda)
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2012 Muhammed Essa (Zambia)
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2013 Jas Mangat (Uganda)
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2014 Rajbir Rai (Kenya)
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2015 Jaspreet Chatthe (Kenya)
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2016 Hassan Alwi (Uganda)