Blog

By Mwambazi Lawrence

Masaka, April 12, 2024 – As the much-anticipated SMC Challenge Rally gears up to kick off today at the Hotel Next Masaka, excitement is already reaching fever pitch with Equity Bank stepping in to power up the Drugs Express Rally team. The unveiling of the sponsorship package took place earlier today at Equity Bank’s Masaka Branch office, promising to fuel the team’s journey throughout the season.

Led by Equity Bank’s head of marketing, Claire Tumwesigye, the sponsorship announcement was met with enthusiasm from rally enthusiasts and team members alike. Alongside Tumwesigye were key figures Maggie Lukowe and Kaweesi Ivan, highlighting the importance and magnitude of the partnership between Equity Bank and the Drugs Express Rally team.

The SMC Challenge Rally, spanning across districts including Lwengo, Kyotera, and Masaka, promises a thrilling spectacle for rally fans. The action-packed event will kick off with two competitive stages tomorrow, building up to the highly anticipated head-to-head superspecial stage at Evillas Masaka.

Preparations for the rally have been meticulous, with scrutineering completed today to ensure the safety and compliance of all participating vehicles. Later in the day, a ceremonial start is scheduled to take place at Hotel Next, setting the stage for what promises to be an electrifying event.

In a thrilling display of skill and determination, the dynamic duo of Nasser Mutebi and Steven Bunya emerged triumphant in the highly anticipated SMC Challenge Rally 2024. Piloting a Mitsubishi Evo9 with finesse and precision, the pair secured their victory after a dramatic turn of events in the final standings.

Initially, provisional results had positioned Jas Mangat as the overall winner of the event. However, fate had a different outcome in store as Mangat was later excluded from the final results due to a missed control signature in their time card. This turn of events propelled Nasser Mutebi into the spotlight, ultimately claiming the rally crown with an impressive total time of 1:39:06.9.

Securing the third position overall were the formidable duo of Kansiime Jonas and Ronald Bukenya, navigating a Mitsubishi Evo8 and posting a commendable time of 1:46:43.4. The Subaru Impreza pairing of Didas Matsiko and Alfred Mutanda clinched fourth place, while Isaac Sozzi and Monica Birwinyo rounded out the top five in their Subaru Impreza N8, marking Sozzi’s first rally finish in Masaka.