Ponsiano Lwakataka hailed his victory in the drama-filled Pearl of Africa Rally as his one if best ever and the two-time national champion emphasised that the decision not to panic earned him the win.
In an event that saw many retirements, 2010 champion Jimmy Whyte retired on Day Two and so did local favourite Ronald Sebuguzi, who rolled his car. Meanwhile, overnight leader Jas Mangatcrashed out in the last section of the rally to hand Lwakataka an unlikely victory.
Lwakataka now takes the lead in the overall national rally championship standings after celebrating the second win of the season following victory in the Mbarara rally earlier in the season.
“We really earned that one” he says. “For me, it’s my best victory. It was very tough conditions and the great thing is our car was good. It wasn’t just the luck of others retiring.
