Arthur Blick Jr secured a crucial victory in the Kabalega rally to keep his hopes for a second championship title much alive.
Blick and co-driver George Semakula impressively cruised to their second consecutive victory to ensure that the fight for the championship goes down the wire.
The Shell Sponsored crew posted total times of 1hour, 41 minutes, 20 seconds to clinch victory.
“First of all, this win is for the Almighty (pointed his finger up) and the support from my family and sponsors,” Arthur Blick said.
“It’s also a victory for our manager Amin Ameen who masterminded out 2015 triumph and is now back for 2019.”
Blick Jr also lauded Shell for their continued support. “It’s not a coincidence that two Shell team cars are one and two.”
Hajj Umar Mayanja who trailed in the second position was left lamenting about the tyre puncture at Bagambe Tea (17.73km) section.
“The puncture put me off. I was recording best times all along, but having two Shell cars on the podium is a bonus,” he said.
Nasser remains hopeful of winning his maiden title despite the setback.
“The title is still in my hands. The consistency throughout the season will carry me to the end,” he said.
Dr Ashraf Ahmed, the 2008 national title completed the podium places finishing third.
Earlier, Rajiv Ruparelia in VW Polo Plotto won the Clubman Rally Championship (CRC) category finishing 50 percent of the event in a time 01:09:37 and announced his arrival at the big stage.
The passionate driver dominated the day and kept the fans on their toes.
“This has been a good experience and hope next year I will challenge for the national title,” he said.
Meanwhile, Ronald Ssebuguzi and Leon Ssenyange title ambitions ended with drive shaft problem while Duncan ‘Kikankane’ Mubiru dropped out with fan belt problem.
The victory puts Blick at 385 points to close in on championship leader Yasin Nasser with only 30 points into the season finale.
Second place had Omar Mayanja and Hussein Mukuye who survived mishaps to register their first podium finish of the season with the second-fastest time.
Mayanja finished 21seconds behind winner Arthur Blick.
“We are happy about this podium. It’s our first this season which comes after a series of disappointments in the previous events.
“We have always posted top speeds but misfortunes let us down,” said Mayanja.
Dr. Ashiraf Ahmed was equally elated after sealing the podium in third position. It is was his first podium finish this season.
“But I am happy everything came out well and having this podium shows we were a good team since many failed to make it,” said Ahmed.
Current championship leaders Yasin Nasser and Ali Katumba had a late scare in the ultimate stage that cost them valuable times.
The Moil rally team would drop from third to fourth position overall. However, maintained their championship lead.
Fred Busulwa and Edward Kiyingi completed the top five positions followed by Isaas Ssozi in sixth.
Rajiv Ruparelia and Enoch Olinga secured their second consecutive victory in the Clubman Rally Championship (CRC).
Ruparelia not only topped the CRC but he also fought for stages times with NRC drivers leading the event by the time he completed his event percentage.
Ronald Sebuguzi, Duncan Mubiru, Christakis Fitidis, Abdul Katete, Hassan Alwi, Adam Rauf were among the causalities of the event.
The season finale is scheduled for November 29 December 1.
Results:
Arthur Blick Jr/ George Semakula (EvoX). 01:41:20
Umar Mayanja/ Hussein Mukuye (Evo X). 01:41:40
Dr.Ashraf Ahmed/zubedda Abdulla (Subaru N14). 01:54:58
Yasin Nasser/ Ali Katumba (Subaru GVB). 02:01:45
Fred Busulwa/ Joseph Bongole (Subaru N10). 02:06:31.
CRC class
Rajiv Ruparelia (VW Polo) 01:09:37
Peter Busingye (Subaru) 01:31:16
Ibrahim Lubega (ToyotaFX) 01:35:17
