Kenya’s Soni claims Pearl podium in Uganda

Kenyan navigator Rally Soni was among the star attractions in Lugogo on Sunday after guiding Uganda’s Jas Mangat to second overall in the 2012 Shell Pearl of Africa Uganda Rally.

Mohammed Essa, navigated by Zimbabwean Greg Stead, led the event from start to finish for the Zambian’s maiden POAUR event. He returned his Prodrive Subaru Impreza N12 machine in two hours, 38 minutes and 10 seconds.

Soni, who navigates Hardeep S. Rehsi on the Kenyan circuit (KNRC), savoured his best career position incidentally on his Ugandan debut.

The Team Kibos Kisumu-based Kenyan duo of Jassi Chathe and Gugu Panesar kissed the Ugandan round of the FIA African Rally Championship farewell following mechanical gremlins in the morning run. Driving the ex-Lee Rose championship-winning Mitsubishi Evo 9, Chathe enjoyed an aggressive top 10 run on Leg 1 which saw him cling to sixth-place with a total time of 159.57.

Behind Mangat was compatriot Ronald Ssebuguzi, who sealed the podium dash in 2.54.31, beating Giancarlo Davite of Rwanda by a mere two seconds while Ugandan champion Susan Muwonge was fifth.

This year’s edition of POAUR flagged off by Uganda’s Vice-President Edward K. Ssekandi while Prime Minister John Patrick Amama Mbabazi presided over the closing ceremony at Uganda Manufacturers Association (UMA) showground.

Provisional POAUR final results:
1.Mohammed Essa /Greg Stead (Subaru Impreza) 2:38:10

2.Jas Mangat/Ravi Soni (Subaru Impreza) 2:41:12

3.Ronald Sebuguzi / Cedric Buzabo (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) 2:54:31

4.Giancarlo Davite/Sylvia Vondevogel (Subaru Impreza) 2:56:10

5.Susan Muwonge/Edmond Kyeyune (Subaru Impreza) 3:01:26

6.Edson Mungyereza/Ronald Luwangula (Subaru Impreza) 3:20:06

7.Elefterios Mitraros/Paolo Paganin (Subaru Impreza) 3:21:27

8.Jonas Kansiime/Joseph Bongole (Subaru Impreza) 3:39:41

9.Patrick Sebambulidde / Rahma Mohammed (Toyota Levin) 4:08:34