Rally star Mangat blows it in Madagascar


Uganda’s hopes of ending a 14-year drought on continental scene came to a heartbreaking halt on Saturday when national champion Jas Mangat dropped out of the Madagascar International Rally, leaving Zambian Jassy Singh to take it on a silver plate.

Jas Mangat

Mangat, who was three seconds quicker than Singh at the super special stage on Friday, had built a one minute, 36 seconds lead over his championship rival by stage six on Saturday when he was sidelined by mechanical failure on his hired Subaru N12.

The Ugandan crew still waited for the race to end to confirm their fate because if Singh had also dropped out, Mangat would have become Africa champion. The wish never came though.

From that point, 20-year-old Singh (Subaru N12) navigated by veteran Dave Sihoka who used to be his father’s (Muna Singh) co-driver had a steady race to the end — becoming the youngest Africa champion.

Singh finished sixth in Madagascar but claimed maximum 25 Africa championship points being the only competitor eligible to score the points — taking his tally to 106 points with Mangat stuck at 83. Malagasy driver Olivier Ramiandrisoa won the race.

Uganda won its only continental championship in 1999 when Charles Muhangi, navigated by Stephen Byaruhanga, won after beating Singh’s grandfather Satwant Singh and his father Muna.


Mangat’s turning point

Mangat who started his title campaign in Zambia where he got a podium position, won in Tanzania, scooped crucial 18 points in the Kenya Safari Rally despite finishing outside the top 10, won the Shell Pearl of Africa Uganda Rally but the fortunes started tumbling in Rwanda.

His Mitsubishi Evo X R4 had an engine failure in the Mountain Gorilla Rally where he was poised to seal it — stretching the continental title contest to Madagascar where he fell to the Zambian.

Africa Championship standings
J. Singh 106 points
J. Mangat 83

Madagascar International Rally results, Top 10
O. Ramiandrisoa 2:44.41
B. Guigu 2:54.28
M. Guillot 3:02.21
J. Tiana 3:03.41
R. Tahina 3:05.37
J. Singh 3:08.21

By Douglas Mazune, The New Vision

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