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Asked about the performance of Nasser and his Ford Fiesta R5 and how he viewed his new rival, Kikankane did not give credit to Nasser but to the power behind Ford Fiesta.
Last weekend’s season-opening Mbarara rally hinted that the status quo in Uganda’s rally scene might see its biggest shake-up.
For the last decade, Ugandan rally has been dominated by the same ageing crop of drivers, with only a handful getting to sit and shake that venerated table of men.
Yasin Nasser delivered a message of intent that he would need permanent space at that table (if he is not already seated) with a dominant performance during the season opener.
The 2017 national rally champion laid down the marker, winning four of the seven stages but was pushed bravely by Mubiru Duncan Kikankane before he fell off with car problems to finish third.
Asked about the performance of Nasser and his R5 and how he viewed his new rival, Kikankane did not give credit to Nasser but to the power behind Ford Fiesta.
“We were chasing them down. We had them and were sure we could catch them,” Kikankane told Pulse Sport.
“But we suffered challenges, and sadly that is part of the game. However, I would fancy my car and my side in a straight battle.”
“Because at the end of the day, I believe it is about the driver more, and I back myself with the experience.”
“His car has the power, but power is nothing without control, and that is his advantage, but I am not far off his pace at the moment. So I am sure I can beat him (Nasser),” Kikankane declared.
When Nasser unwrapped his Ford Fiesta R5 in November last year, he captured everyone’s attention with his desire to dominate local rallies and the continent.
However, with the power and sophistication behind an R5-powered car, there were doubts about his ability to master the nimble and agile monster and how long it could take him to tame it.
Doubts were further raised when he finished fourth at the Machakos rally in Kenya before he decided to bring the test home.
In Mbarara, Kikankane brought the challenge of winning the opening speed test of the rally.
However, Nasser replied by winning the following three stages to open up a lead of 1:06 seconds ahead of Kikankane.
Kikankane was not going to take it lying down, initially reducing Nasser’s overnight lead by 25 seconds after Sunday’s morning loop.
He continued the case but was to be undone in the rally’s penultimate stage with damage to his front right tyre, losing three minutes, before delivering one final jab in the last section just so to remind him that he was indeed close to his rear.
Nasser still acknowledges that the Ford Fiesta R5 played a significant factor in his success in Mbarara, but he says that will only go on for a while as he is determined to get to speed.
“We are not yet ready where we want to be in terms of understanding the car,” Nasser told Pulse Sports.
“We are at maybe 40%, but it is a process, and we want to learn and improve with every rally.”
“We do not want to be the ones being carried by car, and we want to understand it. I am convinced that we now understand it more regarding the whole team, and that is a good thing,” he added.
Nasser is expected to have a change in ambition and challenge all seven national rallies as he bids for his second national title.
The National Rally Championship heads east to uncharted territory in Bukedea for its second round, to be organised by the Eastern Motor Club on March 10-12.
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