A record 52 rally crews have entered this year’s Shell V-Power Pearl of Africa Uganda rally (POAUR) making it the highest number of drivers ever in this prestigious event.
Important Dates
- Thursday June 29 – Scrutineering Panamera Bar
- Friday June 30 – 3 Competitive stages in Busiika and Nakifuma
- Saturday June 31 – 9 Competitive stages in Kayunga.
52 Crews Signup for Pearl
Out of the 52 crews, 10 are foreigners making the biggest number Pearl rally has ever registered in its history of 19 years.
The other biggest number was in in the 2014 Pearl rally in Zion estate where eight foreign crews made it.
“Yes we closed entry over the weekend with 52 drivers and the secretariat is now handling the verification of the submitted papers before sending them to FIA,” Clerk of the course Jeff Kabagambe confirmed the development.
Ambrose byona in Zion estates
The ten crews Manvir Baryani navigated by Drew Sturrock in Fabia Skoda RS, Yoto Fabrice/Remera Regis (Toyota Celica), the two crews from Zambia, Leroy Gomes navigated by Urshlla Gomes in an Evo X and Kleevan Gomes navigated by Riyaz Tatife in an Evo9.
The Others are Giancarlo Davite navigated by Sylvia Vindevogel in an Evo X (Belgium), Jean Claude Gakwaya/Jean Claude Mugabo (Subaru Impreza), Valery Bukera/ Khetia Nital (Subaru Impreza) from Rwanda and Roshanali Mohamed navigated by Giesen Jean-Jean.
Crews from Kenya
The other crews from the neighboring Kenya Dilraj Chatthe navigated by Riyaz Ismail and Jaspreet Chatthe with Gurdeep Panesar in Evo X are part of the 44 crews that confirmed their participation.
All Uganda’s top drivers, Omar Mayanja, Ronald Ssebuguzi, KFC’s Desh Kananura, Hima Cement’s Ambrose Byona, Kuku Ranjit, Arthur Blick, Duncan Mubiru aka Kikankane, Musa Kabega, Dr. Ashraf Ahmed, Godfrey Lubega, Christakis Fitidis and Kephar Walubi have confirmed participation.
By J.W.Ogola
A Member of Uganda Sports Press Association
and International Sports Press Association (AIPS).