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Smith will be facing unfamiliar terrain and muddy conditions in what will be his first race in Uganda. Despite the challenging conditions, he is optimistic about his chances, stating that he expects the race to be fast and exciting.
Kenya's rising rally star Rio Smith is prepared to tackle a new challenge at this weekend's Pearl of Africa Uganda Rally - the third round of the Africa Rally Championship and will take place on from May 5-7 in Jinja district.
The 20-year-old is the son to former rally driver Don Smith and will be driving a Subaru Impreza GVB in both the Africa Rally Championship and the Junior Africa Rally Championship.
Smith will be facing unfamiliar terrain and muddy conditions in what will be his first race in Uganda. Despite the challenging conditions, he is optimistic about his chances, stating that he expects the race to be fast and exciting.
"We are still undecided on a full ARC season yet. But we are here in an attempt to gain more experience and get a good finish. As long as I get to the end, I will be very proud and then decide what next," said Smith.
"I am told it is raining. I am expecting a lot of mud, and quite slippery surfaces. But I still think it will be a fast race and also the crowds are something to look out for because I am told they come in large numbers," he added.
18:21 - 26.04.2023
PEARL RALLY Mukula Jr. fired up ahead of Pearl of Africa Rally
The MRT driver had garnered maximum points in all four events entered before the finale, but his first DNF of the season saw the title slip through his hands.
Rio Smith has shown a lot of promise since he began rallying, and he is excited to be participating in his seventh career event. He started his rallying journey at seven years old, doing karting and later autocross. At the age of 18, he participated in the 2021 WRC Kenya Safari rally, and he has been improving ever since.
Don Smith, Rio's father and 2016 African rally champion, is playing an important role on the team, providing strategic guidance to his son, especially building on his eighth place finish overall during the 2016 Pearl Rally which earned him a second place finish in the ARC category.
"My dad has a lot of influence. He is helping a lot in terms of strategy. And the fact that he loved this race, I am definitely going to take his advice on what to do," said Smith.
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14:48 - 25.04.2023
PEARL RALLY Sebuguzi pumped ahead of Pearl Rally
The three-time National Rally Champion failed to finish the 2023 edition but started the new NRC season by finishing second.
"I believe I am still young and with a lot of time to rally. At the moment, I am gaining a lot of sit time and maybe by next year I will be ready for serious competition."
Rio and his co-driver Riyaz Ismail will be driving the Subaru GVB owned by Yasin Nasser, instead of the Ford Fiesta, a two-wheel version he drives in the Kenya events.
"We thought our car would not be good for the conditions. And we opted for the Subaru. The car is very good, the set-up is so perfect and has a lot more power than I expected. And in these conditions, it is power one needs to get you through the rough roads," he said.
Smith's previous rally, the Kenya Equator rally, ended prematurely due to mechanical issues with his car. However, he is determined to finish this race and gain more experience.
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