The Shell Vpower Pearl of Africa rally is already set in motion after the Deputy Speaker of Uganda’s Parliament Hon.Thomas Tayebwa officially flagged off the crews at Lake View hotel, Mbarara on Thursday.
46 crews were flagged to start the event on Friday. Six crews will be contesting for Africa rally championship points.
The Pearl rally is taking place in Mbarara for the first time; a district where the Deputy Speaker hails from.
The Speaker re-echoed the need for road safety.
“Ugandans need to know it is important to be extremely safe on our roads,” said Hon.Tayebwa.
“I would like everyone of you to put out a message on safety. Not only safety during rallies, but safety for every day we are on the road. Safety for people walking, jogging, riding and driving on the road,” he added.
Hon.Tayebwa further called on motorsport organisers to move the sport to different parts of the country to promote tourism.
“The government has developed a ten-fold economic development plan and among our focus is tourism; starting with local tourism. I encourage you to take this sport to different parts of the country so that people get to tour Uganda.
“In tourism, safety is very critical that is why you need to put out the message,” he said.
Four stages including a double super special stage at Rukaari resort will make up leg one of the event with a total competitive distance of 52.91kilometres.
Aine Sodo set off as the first car on the road followed by Kenya’s Nikhil Sachania as the ARC contestants get the opening leg rolling.
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