And now leads African Rally Championship22-year-old Conrad Rautenbach came out on top of a battle of man and machine against the elements when he won the Pearl of Africa Uganda Rally over last weekend, heading the field for most of the rally.
Conrad, who last month
won the Safari Rally, second round of the African Rally Championship, added another feather to his cap last weekend when he and fellow Zimbabwean Pete Marsh brought their Subaru Impreza N10 home with over a three-minute advantage on their nearest rival.
It wasn't all plain sailing for the 2006 British Junior Rally Champion though, as he faced some of the roughest roads in Africa, overcoming minor suspension problems and changeable weather throughout the two-day event.
Last year I was leading when the engine expired on me, so to win the Pearl of Africa this year is really good," Rautenbach said. "But it was a really tough event and I am totally exhausted now. We had a couple of punctures but I was lucky that they were near the end of stages so they didn't cost me too much time."
This win moves Conrad into the lead of the FIA African Rally Championship, but the young rally driver has little time to reflect on his victory. He will now travel back to the UK to contest the opening round of the British Rally Championship, the Pirelli International Rally, this coming weekend.
Conrad will use the same PH Sport run Citroen C2 S1600 that he campaigns in the JRC in order to contest four rounds of the British series, as he aims to defend his junior title.
Pearl of Africa Uganda Rally - Final standings
1 Rautenbach-Marsh Subaru Impreza 2h52'52
2 Miyoshi-Ichino Mitsubishi Lancer 2h56'20
3 Singh-Sihoka Subaru Impreza 2h56'25
4 Mangat-Meganck VW Golf GpS 3h42'41
5 Muwonge-Keyune Subaru Impreza 4h09'43
