All Set For NRC5 In Fort Portal & Kyenjojo
By Mwambazi Lawrence
If you are a self-proclaimed “serious rally fan” and still scratching your head wondering where you’ll be from 22nd to 24th August, I have breaking news for you: you are in the wrong sport. Please proceed to the nearest Ludo board, throw your dice, and let real motorsport fans handle business in Fort Portal and Kyenjojo, where the 5th round of the Uganda National Rally Championship (NRC) will explode into life.
The rally is set to cover 265.3 km, with 137.07 km of pure, competitive dirt-eating The other 127.6 km is liaison, also known as the “catch your breath and pray the car survives this far” section perfect for drivers to check if all four wheels are still attached and for co-drivers to reconsider all their life choices. With three crews separated by less than 20 points, this is where dreams are made, legends are born… or engines dramatically give up like, “You know what, I’m out.”
The event officially launches on Tuesday, 12th August, at Supremacy Lounge where the drinks will hopefully be less expesive than the rally fuel (and where co-drivers can practice shouting “Left! Left! LEFT!” on the dance floor).Scrutineering happens on Friday 22nd in Fort Portal, followed by the ceremonial start at Kalya Courts Hotel later that evening and probably the last time the cars will look clean for the rest of the weekend.
Day 1: Unlike the usual Friday kick-off, this rally starts on Saturday morning probably because the organizers also needed Friday night to party and remind themselves why they love motorsport. The first test is the Henry Maseruka Stage (17.3 km), sponsored by the man himself, because nothing says “thank you” to a sponsor like naming a stage after them and then proceeding to terrorize it at 150 kph.
Next is the Worldwide Movers Stage (15.74 km). And yes, your shock absorbers will also be “moved worldwide.” By the end of this stage, some cars may discover entirely new rattling sounds they didn’t know they had. After that, crews get a quick 30-minute service to tighten anything that hasn’t already fallen off, whisper a prayer to the rally gods, and pretend duct tape is a legitimate engineering solution before heading out to repeat the same stages like they didn’t learn their lesson the first time.
.The day closes with the super special stage in Kyenjojo town, where drivers go head-to-head on a new double track perfect for fans who like their rally cars side-by-side and their drivers side-eyed. After this, the battered machines will crawl to Fort Portal for an overnight Parc Fermé, where mechanics pretend they’re not panicking.
Day 2 –Sunday morning kicks off with the 15.21 km Mukwano Karmali Stage, looping around tea plantations. Veterans will remember this stage as the one where Wasswa & Michael Kizito rolled their Celica… 100 meters BEFORE the start line. Yes, before. Rallying is a dangerous sport, even in the parking lot.
Next is the Mpanga Stage (15.21 km), a stretch of road that still gives Duncan Mubiru flashbacks after his near Olympic dive into the river. The infamous bridge on this stage now proudly answers to the name “Duncan’s Bridge,” a must-see tourist attraction for rally fans and PTSD survivors alike. Drivers crossing it will either whisper a quick prayer, hold their breath like they’re swimming the Nile, or floor it and hope the bridge isn’t in a vengeful mood this year.
Then comes Harugongo (12.82 km), ending just behind Kyakaigo Race Track perfect for those who enjoy finishing stages with their hearts in their mouths. After a service, drivers will repeat Mpanga and Harugongo, with the final run acting as the Power Stage, where heroes earn extra points and zeros earn extra bodywork bills.
Mid-Season NRC Standings
Overall NRC
- Ronald Sebuguzi – 187
- Ponsiano Lwakataka – 175
- Musa Ssegaabwe – 165.5
2WD Category
- Mansoor Lubega – 66.5
- Julious Semambo – 61.5
- Edward Kirumira – 60.5
CRC Category
- Walter Kibande – 55
- Ahmeed Katete – 50
- Kevin Bebeto – 42
With less than 20 points separating the top three overall, anything can happen especially if Duncan finds another bridge, or a Celica decides to roll before the start again. One thing’s for sure: if you miss this rally, don’t claim to be a motorsport fan. Just buy your Ludo board and leave us to enjoy the dust.
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