After agonizingly missing out on the African Rally Championship title in 2013 at 32years due to mechanical reasons in the last rally in Madagascar, Jas Mangat co-driven by Joseph Kamya is hopeful of going a step better this year.
Logistically, according to Joseph Kamya, they are well prepared and the way the calendar was drawn, it’s favorable though.
They intend to capitalize on the five events to be hosted in East African region after missing out on Ivory Coast which was the continental calendar opener.
‘We are starting in Kenya this weekend. Though we are starting behind schedule but we are favored logistically as we only have to cross one boarder for all the five events,” said Kamya.
Kamya added that they will hardly be part of the local National rally championships but rather travel for only continental events.
Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania and Burundi will host the events and Kamya hopes if need be they will add on Zambia rally as an icing on the cake.
With change in Motor rally car technology, Mangat is rumored to be bringing in a new machine soon but whatever the type might be he is keeping his cards close to the chest.
Kamya denied this saying that they are still contented with the available Evo X and bringing another machine would make it a little tricky in their journey.
Karan Patel remain their main rival and at 32 years Kamya and Mangat believe he is capable of going all out in route.
Patel finished second on last year’s championship won by Zambia’s Leroy Gomes who won the title.
For Yassin Nasser and Ali Katumba who are also taking on ARC contention, they will have a bigger challenge as they intend also to do also both Uganda national rally championship and Tanzania championship.
“Fortunately even last weekend we were to have an event here in Uganda but good enough it was postponed.
We intend to do also the Tanzania championship since our main sponsors Moil are basing in Tanzania,” said Ali Katumba, a navigator to Yassin Nasser.
He added that, however, they have to forego some events basing on some mathematical calculations as the season goes on.
They also intend to use the GVB and this R5 that was transported to Kenya last week on Saturday ahead of Equator rally that happens this weekend as the crew likely to move today (Wednesday).
Kenya’s Equator Rally, the second round of the 2023 African Rally Championship will be staged in Voi, Taita-Taveta County.
The total transport distance will be 421.08km while the Competitive distance will be 205.25km.
There are three crews from outside Kenya; Yassin Nasser/Ali Kattumba (Ford Fiesta), Jas Mangat/Joseph Kamya (Mitsubishi Lancer EvoX) and Gurjit Dhanji/Manmeet Birdi (Subaru) from Tanzania.
