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Lwakataka cited financial constraints as the primary reason for his decision, leaving fans disappointed and competitors with one less formidable opponent to contend with.
Three-time national champion Ponsiano Lwakataka has announced his withdrawal from the upcoming Moil EMC Jinja Rally 2023.
Lwakataka cited financial constraints as the primary reason for his decision, leaving fans disappointed and competitors with one less formidable opponent to contend with.
The Jinja Rally is scheduled to take place this weekend from the 7th to the 9th of July, and is set to be the fourth round of the Uganda national rally championship.
After an eight-month absence from rallying, Lwakataka made a strong comeback by securing a second-place finish in the recently concluded Kabalega Hoima Rally.
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The impressive performance reignited his competitive spirit, and he expressed his eagerness to fight for the championship in 2023, starting with round three in Hoima.
In a statement Lwakataka expressed his disappointment, saying, "We really wanted to be in Jinja.”
“But my fans and team couldn't raise the funds for this specific event on time before the closure of entries."
“We will prepare for NRC 5 in Masaka. To our sponsors and fans, we apologize because we know they will miss us in Jinja.”
The news of Lwakataka's withdrawal comes as a blow to the rally community, as he is widely regarded as one of the top competitors in the sport.
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While Lwakataka's financial constraints were cited as the main reason for his withdrawal, there have been suggestions from other sources that additional factors played a role.
It has been reported that Lwakataka had requested free entry into the rally, as well as complimentary accommodation for himself and his crew.
Unfortunately, the event organizers turned down these requests, potentially leading to Lwakataka's decision to withdraw.
Event organisers Eastern Motor Club (EMC) required an entry fee of USD 100 (UGX 370,000 approximately), which is a considerable sum for many participants.
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The financial aspect of motorsport can often be a challenging hurdle for drivers and their teams, particularly in cases where sponsorship and financial support are limited.
Despite Lwakataka's absence, the Moil EMC Jinja Rally promises to be an exhilarating event. The rally will cover a total of 114.84 kilometres split over seven stages and covered over two days of action.
Saturday’s leg will cover three stages, starting with the 18.85 km MCRC stage before competitors tackle the 27 km Joshua Muwanguzi stage – the longest of the rally – for the morning loop.
Saturday’s afternoon loop will be at the Bujagali Super Special stage, that will bring the fans close to the action at the circuit ground.
The Bujagali circuit was run as the final stage of the Pearl of Africa Rally, but this time around will be run as a double circuit.
Sunday will start with a run through the MCRC and Joshua Muwanguzi sections in the morning, with another pass through the sections concluding the rally, bringing the overall distance on the day to 136 kms.
There is added incentive for the winner of the Joshua Muwanguzi stage, with driver Joshua Muwanguzi after which it was named pledging a financial reward.
The fastest time posted in the stage will be rewarded with UGX 600,000 and UGX 400,000 for the two-wheel drive category.
The overall best time posted over the three passes through the stage will also be rewarded with a cash prize of UGX 600,000 for the four-wheel drive cars and 4UGX 400,000 for the two-wheel drive.
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