Wet and Wild As Smc Masaka Challenge Rally Is Set to Thrill
By Mwambazi Lawrence
Masaka, Uganda – The excitement is in the air as the Smc Masaka Challenge Rally gears up to kick off this Friday, April 12th, 2024, promising a thrilling spectacle for rally enthusiasts. With rain forecasted to play a significant role in the proceedings, crews are bracing themselves for a wet and wild ride.
The rally will officially commence with a flag-off ceremony on Friday at Hotel Next in Masaka, setting the stage for two intense stages to be traversed thrice over the weekend. Stage 1, the 18.08-kilometer SMK stage, will wind its way from Nabinene through picturesque locales such as Kabunbiro, Kasanje, Grama, Nakasojo, before culminating in Bukunda. Meanwhile, Stage 2, spanning 26.92 kilometers, will lead crews through Kagezi, Kakyajumbira, Kakitanga, Kasanga, Kiswera, Nakatete, Buyoga, and concluding in Kalububu.
Following the completion of these stages, competitors will face off in the Evillas superspecial stage, promising close-range action for spectators. Day two will see a repetition of the same stages sans the superspecial stage, culminating in a power stage designed to test the endurance and skill of drivers, offering crucial points towards the National Rally Championship (NRC) standings.
In total, the rally spans 226.03 kilometers, with 113.36 kilometers dedicated to liaison and 112.67 kilometers of full competitive action. A total of 31 crews have thrown their hats into the ring, ensuring a fiercely contested event.
All eyes will be on NRC leader Jas Mangat as he seeks to extend his championship lead, but he faces stiff competition from local favorite Ponsiano Lwakataka, who is determined to defend his home turf.
Notably, the reigning national rally champion, after a disappointing outing in the WRC Safari Rally, will be back in action piloting a Group N Subaru Impreza GVB. Jonas Kansime, currently lying second in the NRC championship standings, will be eager to maintain his position, while Equity Bank’s crew of Moustapha Mukasa and Mwambazi Lawrence will be hunting for maximum points to stay within the leading pack.
Also in contention are Ronald Sebuguzi, aiming to bounce back from setbacks in Mbarara, and the 2022 National Rally Champions Byron Lugomoka and Hakim Mawanda, who are commencing their campaign for the 2024 NRC championship in their Mitsubishi Evox after missing out on the opening round.
Rounding out the field are notable names such as Peter Kalule, Ibrahim Lubega, Isaac Sozzi, and Joshua Muwanguzi, who has rebuilt his Subaru Impreza N12.
With a mix of mud and dust expected, fans are in for an action-packed rally weekend that promises thrills, spills, and plenty of adrenaline-fueled moments.
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