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The MOIL Rally team crew has opened up a 13 point lead over his next rival, compatriot Jas Mangat, after finishing on the podium in all four rounds to date.
Africa Rally Championship (ARC) leading crew Yasin Nasser and co-driver Ali Katumba have disclosed that thoughts of when he can wrap up his first African title are yet to cross their mind.
The two will attempt the fifth round of the championship when the Mountain Gorilla Rally in Rwanda revs off this weekend [22nd to 24th September].
The MOIL Rally team crew has opened up a 13 point lead over his next rival, compatriot Jas Mangat, after finishing on the podium in all four rounds to date.
Nasser and Katumba in their Ford Fiesta R5 have finished no less than second in all four ARC rallies, and were winners of the Pearl of Africa Uganda Rally in May.
The crew is on course to become the first Ugandans to win the championship since Charles Muhangi won it in1999.
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Such has been his dominance. If Nasser’s form continues and his rivals suffer misfortunes, there is a chance he could secure the continental title when the championship heads into its penultimate round in Zambia next month.
But the 2023 Uganda rally championship elect is refusing to think about the championship as yet especially with three rounds to go, according to co-driver Katumba.
“Honestly, we have are not thinking about the championship at the moment. I think that is way too close,” Katumba told Pulse Sports Uganda.
“The championship is still as open, and it is everyone’s to take. When you consider who we are up against, we have to keep on fighting and competing at our absolute best.”
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Heading into this weekend's event Katumba says the team’s focus is on trying to give it their best effort and maintain their advantage.
“For us we are heading to Rwanda to compete, to fight for the points and maintain our advantage, because our rivals are all thinking about it, and I am sure they fancy it so much.”
“So, we hope for a good event, and of course we want as many points as we can get,” he stated.
Up to 13 Ugandan rally crews will be competiting at the rally which marks the fifth round of the ARC, and promises three days of fierce competition from 32 crews from across the region.
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Three Ugandan rally crews will compete in the premier ARC category including Nasser, Mangat and Innocent Bwamiki.
There will be a twist to Mangat’s challenge though, with Frenchman Escatefigue Jules joining him in cockpit as regular co-driver, Joseph Kamya sits out this one.
Kenya's national rally champion, Karan Patel, is expected to be a formidable adversary for the Ugandan crews in this category.
Tanzania's Prince Charles Nyerere, fresh from a strong debut in Burundi last month, is gearing up for another thrilling race.
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While Kenya’s Rio Smith, who impressed with a strong showing during the Pearl of Africa Uganda Rally in June, is making his return to the African stage.
In the ARC 2 category, Innocent Bwamiki is poised for victory. Mangat currently leads the category, but his switch to the Hyundai means he can no longer score in the support class.
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