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Kikankane, won the national title in 2021 under unprecedented circumstances, but finished outside the top three last season, however he fancies reclaiming his title.
Rally star Mubiru Duncan ‘Kikankane’ has made his intentions clear that he is going stop at nothing in his chase for a second National Rally Championship.
Kikankane, won the national title in 2021 under unprecedented circumstances, but finished outside the top three last season, however he fancies reclaiming his title.
The Kikankane Rally Team driver held his fort to take his maiden victory during his umpteenth attempt at the 2023 Pearl of Africa Uganda Rally.
As he basked in the glory of his triumph, Kikankane spoke candidly about his plans for the season, revealing his ambitious strategy for the remaining rallies.
With a steely determination and a hunger for success, Kikankane wasted no time in making his intentions clear - he was going for the National rally championship in 2023, and nothing could stand in his way.
“I think now it becomes clear, we are surely going to give the championship a go, and such a victory only serves to boost our confidence to go for it,” Kikankane explained.
“My rivals should consider this as my statement of intent. We want to be at the top come the end of the season, and I don’t think anyone can stop us now.”
“We already have the experience of being champions, and we want to taste that again. We shall use our experience to our advantage.”
“I want us to arrive at the end of the season when everyone is contented that I deserve this, and I am going to prove that in every rally going forward,” he stated.
Kikankane inherited the rally lead during the afternoon stages on Saturday, after a thrilling duel between Yasin Nasser and Jas Mangat came to a premature end.
Mangat suffered engine failure on the transport section after posting the fastest time on stage five, and shortly after Yasin’s Ford Fiesta R5 developed a power steering issue which cost him over three minutes in stage six.
Kikankane pushed his Ford Fiesta Proto to finish five seconds ahead of national champion Byron Rugomoka at the end of the first day.
And despite winning one of Sunday’s four stages, he comfortably won the rally 1:36 seconds clear of the field.
“I came to this event to win,” he told Pulse Sports, adding; “I knew I had a chance for victory, and I did not lose focus of that, and eventually I am at the top of the podium.”
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17:07 - 07.05.2023
MOTORSPORT Kikankane wins maiden Pearl Rally, Nasser tops ARC class
Duncan Mubiru' Kikankane' rewrote history books by winning the 2023 Pearl of Africa Uganda Rally for the first time in his career.
“Even when we had the mechanical challenges on day one, with the power steering and a slow puncture in the super special we stayed confident and didn’t panic.”
“I think the manner of our victory says a lot about the crew and our ability, because I don’t think anyone queries the victory,” he added.
“The most important thing is that we keep on moving forward, and with this victory, I think we have a good chance,” he said.
Kikankane now moves to second overall on the standings on 173 points. He trails Nasser by 25 points. Rugomoka is third on 160 points, with Hassan Alwi fourth on 113 points.
2023 National Rally Championship Driver Standings:
1.Yasin Nasser 198
2. Duncan Mubiru 173
3. Byron Rugomoka 160
4. Hassan Alwi 113
5. Ibrahim Lubega 84
6. Ronald Sebuguzi 70
7. Jas Mangat 70
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