Motorsport Ace and Senior Rally Driver Rajiv Ruparelia is aiming high to beat fellow competitors in the game as the Shell C-Power Pearl of Africa returns to Uganda for the first time in two years of the covid-19 induced lockdown.
The continental much-coveted rally that attracts competitors from other African countries and various parts of the world will take place on the weekend of 6th to 8th May this year.
Vivo Energy Uganda is the official sponsor of the 468 Kilometer Pearl of Africa Rally under the Shell V-Power brand.
The Shell V-Power Pearl of Africa Uganda Rally is one of the most anticipated events on the Ugandan motorsport calendar and is part of the FIA African Rally Championship.
Buikwe district has been earmarked to host this year’s event in the Sugar plantations of Lugazi. Event organisers have landed a 250 million Shillings purse, courtesy of Shell V power by Vivo Energy.
Announcing the sponsorship of the event with UGX250 million by Vivo Energy, Dipu Ruparelia, President of the Federation of Motorsport Clubs Uganda noted, “This is our first rally following a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic and we look forward to welcoming both the drivers and fans back. We intend to deliver a successful event and preparations are already underway.”
Budding rally champion Rajiv Rupareria is among those that gave a bloody nose to legendary drivers like Arthur Blick, Leon Ssenyange and Ronald Ssebuguzi as well as foreign drivers in the 2019 rally that was held in Busiika, Kayunga district.
Now based on the above experience and the shocking skills Rajiv recently expressed in Kaliro sugar rally, most motorsport fans believe he is the right man for these competitions.
“Bro, based on the performance Rajiv set in the previously concluded Kaliro sugar rally, I can bet that he will win Pearl of Africa Rally, trust me that guy is on another level in motorsport,” said Rajiv’s loyal fan in Jinja who witnessed Rajiv ‘burying’ fellow drivers in Iganga’s dusty roads during Kaliro Sugar marathon.
Remember that these competitions come after Rajiv and navigator Enoch Olinga sealed a fantastic performance to win the Kabalega Rally in October last year something that still gives them comfortable seats to win Pearl of Africa.
In their VW Polo, the Ruparelia Rally Team claimed six stage wins in what was a seamless drive to seal the victory 45 seconds ahead of Duncan Mubiru.
“It was a great event although I had a bit of mishap in the first stage. I had to play a bit with the car and get it out. (The) rest was okay,” jubilant Rajiv said then after a win…
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