Ponsiano Lwakataka got his 2025 season with victory in the National Rally Championship season-opening event in western Uganda.
The event which was dubbed the Lumala @60 Mama @90 birthday rally in celebration of the legendary driver Moses Lumala revved on Friday with one stage and a super special stage.
Lwakataka and Paul Musaazi in a Subaru Impreza finished day one in second position.
He was elevated to the rally lead in the third stage on Saturday when event leader Yasin Nasser suffered power steering issues that dropped him to sixth place.
Lwakataka protected the lead until the final finish to secure the first victory of the season.
“The event was not so smooth. It started with some issues yesterday, but God was on my side to reach this victory,” said excited Lwakataka.
“I managed to sort the issues and everything was smooth thereafter. And this victory proves that I am still a competitor in this sport. “
Ronald Sebuguzi and Anthony Mugambwa in the Ford Fiesta Proto were in second position.
Nasser Mutebi and Steven Bunya in Mitsubishi Evo 9 completed the podium positions in third position.
Yasin Nasser and Ali Katumba in the Ford Fiesta rally2 did not lose it all after settling for fourth position overall and securing maximum points from the power stage.
In the Clubman Rally Championship, Walter Kibande secured the victory with Sentongo Kiggundu Nkima and Topher Katera settling for second and third respectively.
In the two-wheel category, Edward Kirumira claimed the victory followed by Amir Kavuma and Julius Ssemambo in third.
While other crews have bagged their first-season points, several crews were unfortunate in the event.
Peter Kalule was the last victim of the event after rolling out in the power stage. Earlier, the crews of Moustapha Mukasa, Duncan Mubiru, Abdul Katete were among the causalities of the event.
The second round of NRC is scheduled for April in Masaka.
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