Motorsports Rally driver Rajiv Ruparelia has explained why he will not take part in the much anticipated Rukaari-Lake Mburo Mbarara Rally this weekend. The Mbarara rally is the 2022 National Rally Championship (NRC) opener that opens the annual calendar.
In an official statement released on Thursday, January 20, the Rajiv Rally Team said due to ‘personal family obligations’, their driver chose to withdrawal from the rally which starts on Friday in Mbarara,
“With much regret, we like to inform all the rally fraternity and fans that due to personal family obligations the Rajiv Ruparelia Rally Team will not be able to participate in the Rukaari-Lake Mburo Mbarara Rally slated for 21-23 January 2022,” a statement from the team reads.
The team further thanked all their fans, organizers, and sponsors for their support towards Mr. Rajiv.
“We would like to officially thank all fans, RRT Team, Organisers, sponsors for your full support. We apologise for any inconveniences caused.”
The NRC season opener, which was launched last week on Sunday at the Mwesigwa Resort in Lake Mburo National Park is sponsored by Mbarara North City MP Robert Mwesigwa Rukaari.
Speaking during the launch, Hon. Rukaari said the rally helps to put Uganda on global map when its comes to the world of motorsports. Adding that; “It also attracts both foreign and local tourism that in turn increases our revenues in our businesses and government.”
In 2020, Duncan ‘Kikankane’ Mubiru and Musa Nsubuga in Subaru GVB won the Rukaari-Lake Mburo Mbrarara Rally. In 2021, the rally did not happen due to Covid-19.
Meanwhile, at least a total of 35 crews have registered to take part in the rally, and below is the list of registered crews:
1. Didas Masiko /Alfred Mutanda Subaru Impreza N12.
2. Happy Richard K /Mwambazi Lawrence Subaru Impreza GC8.
3. Yassin Mukasa/Duncan katumba Toyota Fx.
4. Samuel Watedwa/Steven Bunya Toyota Fx.
5. Rashid Makumbi/Yusuf Babu Subaru Impreza N12.
6. Dr Maseruka Henry/Denis Tibenda Toyota Runx.
7. John Barrows Luumu/Joseph Lutalo – Subaru Impreza N14.
8. Fred Busuulwa Kitaka/Joseph Bongole – Subaru Impreza N10.
9. Ibrahim Lubega/Geoffrey Serwoga Toyota Fx.
10. Patrick Ruyonga/Shakirah Nabwami Toyota Fx.
11. Julius Semambo/Diana Nagawa Toyota Fx.
12. Samuel Bwete/Urban Mulidwa Evo9.
13. Umar Dauda/Hamuza lwanga Evo6.
14. Michael Mukula Jnr/Siraje Kyambadde–Subaru lmpreza N12.
15. Mustapha Mukasa/Mildred Kibuuka–Subaru Impreza N12.
16. Dr.Ashraf Ahmed/Shameer Yusuf- Subaru Impreza N 14.
17. Duncan Mubiru/ Musa Nsubuga-Subaru Impreza GVB.
18. Dr.Nsereko Godfrey/ Sserwanga Jackson- Subaru Impreza GC8.
19. Arthur Blick Jr /Alestair Blick- Evo X.
20. Oscar Ntambi/Asuman Muhammad- Toyota Altezza.
21. Ponsiano lwakataka/Paul musaazi Subaru Impreza N12.
22. Sebuguzi Ronald/Anthony Mugabwa Evox.
23. Jas Mangat/ Joseph Kamaya Evox.
24. Mark Lubega/Unisan Bakunda Subaru Impreza.
25. Omar mayanja/Hussien Mukuye Evox.
26. Aine Godfrey /Derrick Lumbabula Evo9.
27. Musa Mukasa/Isaac Lumu Gc8;
28. Watolya Muzamir Mwami/Abdul Karim –T RunX.
29. Peter Gensi/Kevin Lubambula ToyotaCelica.
30. Robert Kasana /Pius S. Subaru Impreza.
31. Edward Kirumira/Katabalwa Robert-Toyota Curren.
32. Najib Ssempijja/Gloria Nantongo–Suzuki Swift.
33. Wo Ismael Luke/Nabila Doreen VW Golf.
34. Peter Businge/Mawanda Hakim Subaru Gc8.
35. Umar Kakyama/Timothy Gawaya Ford fiesta.
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