Gone Are The Days When Jeans Were Racewear …

By Mwambazi Lawrence

Gone are the days when motorsport was the wild west of speed, where the only real rule was “get to the finish line and try not to die.” Gather around, people, and sit by the fire as I tell you a tale of how motorsport has evolved over the years. If you were expecting a serious documentary, think again! Motorsport back in the day was wild, free, and, frankly, hilarious. Today, it has been tamed with rules, regulations, and safety features, but let me take you back to when things were truly unpredictable.

To begin with, back in the day, rallying was an endurance test that could break both man and machine. Imagine a time when the shortest stage in a rally was 50 km, and the longest could stretch up to 90 km! Yes, you heard that right 90km of pure, non-stop, adrenaline-fueled madness, rally stages were so long that by the time you finished one, you needed a whole week to recover. A prime example was the Shell Helix Rally’s 91km stage from Gayaza to Luwero Katikamu. .And what do we have today? Stages barely stretching past 20 km, and guess what? Some drivers are still out here complaining that it’s too long! Too long? Please!” Cry babies, I tell you!. Back then, rally cars were built like tanks made for endurance, not just speed. These days, cars are more like Formula 1 on dirt, designed for short sprints rather than marathon battles, they might be faster, but let them attempt a 90 km stage, and you’d find them panting like an old dog on a hot afternoon.

“Back in my day, we didn’t have these fancy turbo-charged machines with electronic aids. It was just you, the car, and the road pure skill and bravery! These young drivers today complain about everything; I say let’s give them an old Datsun and see if they can handle it!” — Godfrey Mukiibi Katende , retired rally driver/ rider.

And don’t get me started on recce or the lack of it. In the early days, drivers were simply handed a road book and something called “unofficial notes.”at the start of the rally Yep, you had to go all-out on roads you’d never driven before. Just vibes and instincts! It wasn’t until Ugandan co-drivers like Frank Nekusa, Jack Wavamuno, and Eddy Clay Kayiwa traveled to Kenya and saw how their rivals used pace notes that things changed. They came back home, introduced the idea, and today, no one dares hit the road without spending hours perfecting their pace notes. Imagine rallying back then it was basically controlled chaos!

And the racewear? Oh, this one will crack you up. Forget about FIA-approved fireproof suits and fancy racing boots. Back in the day, you could win a rally while wearing beach shorts, a t-shirt, and a cap! No gloves, no fancy helmets just a man and his machine. Today, drivers look like astronauts about to launch into space two-layered race overalls, specialized racing shoes, gloves, HANS devices, and helmets that look like they belong in a sci-fi movie. Motorsport fashion has truly evolved, though I must admit, some of today’s outfits make the drivers look like they’re heading for a moon landing instead of a rally.

Safety? Well, that was a secondary concern. Seat belts existed, sure, but none of this modern six-point harness nonsense. Roll cage paddings? What roll cage paddings? If you hit a tree, you felt all of it. Today, however, rally cars have more safety features than a presidential convoy six-point harnesses, roll cage padding, reinforced body shells and about a million other safety features that weren’t even considered back then. The difference? Back then, drivers prayed before starting the race. Today, they just buckle up and trust the FIA.

.Speaking of fuel, back then, rally cars ran on the same fuel you used to drive your aunt to the village. A driver would casually pull up at an Agip or Mogas station before the start of the race, fill up, and then go on to win stages. Things changed when Karim Hirji brought in the Celica ST165, which required sophisticated racing fuel. Nowadays, it’s all about Avgas, V-Power, and other light racing fuels that make modern cars fly. But let’s face it there was something magical about knowing that the same fuel used in your uncle’s Toyota Corona was winning rallies.

And then there was motocross! This one is even funnier. Events used to take place on grass tracks inside stadiums like Nakivubo, Wankulukuku, and Bugembe. And what did the riders wear? Jeans! Yes, my friend, leather jackets (some decorated with skulls and other terrifying images), and ordinary helmets that looked like they were borrowed from boda-boda riders. Gloves? Who needed gloves? It was so bad that when Ugandan riders traveled to Kenya, they lost the race before it even started just by looking at the well-dressed, well-equipped Kenyan riders and their thunderous bikes. And let’s not forget the smoke so much smoke coming from the Ugandan riders’ bikes that you’d think they were fog machines at a nightclub. Why? Because service was long overdue, but who cared?

Ah, those were the days! Motorsport has come a long way, and while it’s safer, faster, and more professional now, there was an undeniable charm to the madness of the old days. But one thing remains unchanged the love for speed, the thrill of competition, and the sheer excitement of motorsport. So, let’s keep the wheels spinning and the engines roaring whether in 90 km stages or 20 km sprints, it’s all about the passion for the sport, the camaraderie, and of course, the hilarious misadventures we never fail to find ourselves in. Here’s to many more laps around the track… and the endless stories to laugh about when we’re done!

About The Author

Mwambazi

Mwambazi Lawrence is a passionate motorsport writer and an intrepid co-driver, fearlessly tackling the rugged landscapes of Uganda’s racing circuits. His immersive experiences fuel his storytelling, allowing him to weave exhilarating narratives that resonate with the pulse of the race. With a keen eye for detail and a love for speed, Lawrence brings the excitement of motorsport to life, inviting readers to join him on a thrilling journey through the world of motorsport.

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