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The mistake proved costly, as it gave Muzamiru, the opportunity to clinch victory with a total time of two hours, eight minutes, and 40 seconds for the 170 kilometers of the race.
Ugandan driver Mwami Muzamiru, in a Subaru Impreza with navigator AbdulKarim Kakooza, emerged victorious at the "Memorial Gakwaya 2023" auto race, also known as the Huye Rally.
Meanwhile, Kalimpinya Queen made history as the first woman to lead the National Auto Racing Championship in 23 years.
The three-day race, which took place in the Huye and Gisagara areas from March 24th to 26th, saw only three of the 11 competing cars finish and receive rewards, with three others disqualified while the others withdrew.
On the final day, four sections were run, two runs through the 10 km Save-Shyanda, with the final section run in the opposite direction.
The rally had a dramatic climax, after long standing leader Prime Two Fity from Burundi withdrew from the race in the final section despite leading the race by more than seven minutes.
His withdrawal promoted Uganda’s Fred Busulwa Kitaka into the lead, but he together with Burundi’s Faidah Philbert and Ugandan Innocent Bwamiki were disqualified after breaching competition regulations for getting outside assistance.
The mistake proved costly, as it gave Muzamiru, the opportunity to clinch victory with a total time of two hours, eight minutes, and 40 seconds for the 170 kilometers of the race.
Burundi crew of Remezo Christian and Remezo Jonathan, who also competed in a Subaru Impreza, came in second, clocking two hours, 27 minutes, and 18 seconds.
Kalimpinya Queen, who drove with navigator Ngabo Olivier in a Subaru Impreza, finished third with a time of two hours, 31 minutes, and 23 seconds.
After winning third place, Kalimpinya Queen became the first Rwandan woman to lead the National Rally Championship since Belgian Nathalie Cox in 2000.
She expressed her joy, saying, "I'm very happy, it's my second race [driving], I finished with a good time.”
“I tested the car, I tested myself and my co-driver, and hopefully, now we can move forward."
The next rally, Nyirangarama Rally 2023, is scheduled to take place in June.
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