Moustapha relishing impressive season so far after Jinja rally podium

Moustapha Mukasa is by far the driver to watch as this year’s national rally championship winds down with three events left. Mukasa’s name beams brighter among the top three drivers on the NRC leaderboard after the weekend Jinja rally; a name which many did not anticipate to be among the top runners. With Lawrence Mwambazi […] The post Moustapha relishing impressive season so far after Jinja rally podium appeared first on Kawowo Sports.

Jul 17, 2024 - 01:30

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Moustapha relishing impressive season so far after Jinja rally podium

Moustapha Mukasa is by far the driver to watch as this year’s national rally championship winds down with three events left.

Mukasa’s name beams brighter among the top three drivers on the NRC leaderboard after the weekend Jinja rally; a name which many did not anticipate to be among the top runners.

With Lawrence Mwambazi in the Mitsubishi Evo9, Mukasa’s distinct performance has come with impressive finishes.

He secured a second position in Masaka rally, and another second position in the just concluded Jinja rally. A podium is Mukasa’s best career finish.

Mukasa admits it is the team’s efforts that has brought him this far.

“What I anticipated for this season, was really to be able to fulfill the aspirations of myself, my sponsors and the whole crew as well as toning down the disappointments for the fans,” he told Kawowo Sports.

“So, it was a mix of things. I felt I had more of an obligation to make sure that I finish as many rallies as possible so that my people could get rejuvenated to return confidence to them. And to prove to them that, sometimes it is not always the driver but the car,” he added.

Mukasa joined the sport in 2017. He attributes his performance to a new car; a Mitsubishi Evo9 and a few adjustments made on the team.

“Previously, my cars were not up to the job. And I knew it, but then the crew could not admit it. But all changed when we got the new car.”

“We learnt from our previous mistakes to make up a good team. So, we made some small adjustments in the technical team, the administration as well as the crew making changes to the notes to make them better,” he explained.

The Drugs Express and Equity bank sponsored crew is currently second on the NRC leaderboard with 177points; 23 points behind leader Jas Mangat.

“My performance is not by sheer luck, but a combination of things. We have been enjoying the game, giving it our best shot with all the strength we have built over the last five years, and everything has come well together by the Grace of God,” he said.

Despite the current performance, Mukasa still admits he is still on track to better himself.

“At the moment I am still looking at perfecting the pace notes, perfecting the durability of the car. And to see how far I can go with this car. The results are here but there is a bigger goal to that.”

“So, at this point, I am not going to change my strategy going forward into the season. I will continue maintaining it and see how far it will go. The earlier target remains; to finish as many event as possible,” he asserted.