Motorsport: Sudhir Son, Rajiv Ruparelia Takes the Lion’s Share in Kabalega NRC
By Kyeyune Ali
Rajiv Ruparelia, son to Sudhir won his first event National Rally Championship with a spirited fight against the leader, Duncan ‘Kikankane’ Mubiru.
Rajiv, the managing director of Ruparelia group of companies put up a spirited fight to win the highly competitive UMOSPOC Kabalega Rally in Hoima on Saturday.
The sixth round of the national rally championship kept fans on their toes as no one could predict the outcome.
Rajiv showed maturity leading the rally right from the first stage in the morning and containing the pressure to the final stage.
He posted a total time loss of an hour 44 minutes and 56 seconds, a minute ahead of second placed driver in the race Ducan Mubiru, who stayed on top of the National Rally championship log with 350 points
The event lived up to its billings as competitors challenged each other in their respective categories throughout the event.
A win for Rajiv put Duncan Mubiru’s NRC victory celebrations on hold as he now has to finish the MOSAC rally in the top five to be declared national rally championship winner.
He finished second with Ronald Sebuguzi, Omar Mayanja, and Hasan Alwi finishing third, fourth and fifth respectively.
The Event was supported by UNOC, USB Uganda, Rose form, Mika Resort, Kabalega Resort, Nadia Recruitment, TIO Tours and Travels, and International University of East Africa.
Among the 34 cars that started the event only twelve (12) managed to finish the rally in Hoima.
With this year’s edition held under the theme “Conquer or die”, the even attracted veteran drivers like Duncan Mubiru, Ronald Sebuguzi, Arthur Blick Junior, Alwi Hassan and Fred Busulwa .
The last event will be held in Jinja between 26-28 November 2021.
The Full Results
1. Rajiv Ruparelia 1:44.56
2. Duncan Mubiru 1:45.41
3. Ronald Ssebuguzi 1:47.01
4. Omar Mayanja 1:48:20
5. Hassan Alwi 1:53.33
6. Fred Busulwa 1:54.01
7. Umaru Dauda 2:08.09
8. Ibrahim Lubega 2:17.41
9. Godfrey Nsereko 2:38.15
10. Najib Sempijja 2:52.54
11. Sam Watendedwa 2:56.38
12. Sadat Negomba 3:02.50