With Hassan Alwi a further 135 points behind with three rounds left, the title race appeared tilted in Mangat’s favour. That, however, could change should the chasing pack finish ahead of the two-time champion at this weekend’s Kabalega-UMOSPOC Rally in Hoima and Masindi.
“We need to trim his lead to give us the advantage since he won’t drive Pearl,” stated Leon Ssenyange, a co-driver to Ronald Ssebuguzi.
This was as a result of Mangat’s failure to complete the Rally of Tanzania 10 days ago, an event he substituted for September’s Pearl of Africa Rally due to personal engagements.
Both rallies, by virtue of being on the African Rally Championship calendar, guarantee Ugandan winners 140 points as compared to 100 in the NRC. This consequently leaves Mangat with two races left on the NRC calendar compared to three for his pursuers. Like Duncan Mubiru, who also dropped out in Tanzania, Mangat is expected to switch from his usual Mitsubishi Evo X, popularly known as ‘ekisodde’ to a Subaru N12.