Two-time national rally champion Ponsiano Lwakataka is a step closer to returning to competitive rallying after the Ruparelia Group of Companies contributed Shs25 million towards the purchase of a new rally car.
Lwakataka is targeting Shs220 million to buy a Volkswagen Proto previously owned by the late rally driver Rajiv Ruparelia. The latest contribution leaves him with Shs195 million to raise.
The veteran driver plans to hold a fundraising sprint at Garuga later next month, where he hopes to raise more money and officially unveil the car.
Lwakataka thanked the Ruparelia Group for supporting his comeback and urged rally fans to turn up for the fundraising event.
“I am really happy and I want to assure our fans that the day of the unveiling of the rally car will be special. I call upon all rally fans to come to Garuga and see our car,” he said.
The Garuga event will also celebrate 25 years of Lwakataka’s career in motorsport. As part of the celebrations, he will sell a commemorative magazine documenting his journey in rallying at Shs10,000 per copy.
Lwakataka has been away from competitive rallying but believes the Volkswagen Proto, which he has named “Rabbit”, will give him a better chance of challenging for top honours when he returns.
He said his previous car, known as “Snake”, presented handling problems that sometimes affected his performance.
“The car we have been driving was long and was named Snake. Now the name has changed. This is Rabbit, and I believe it is going to change everything,” he said.
According to Lwakataka, the previous car could behave unpredictably, with its front and rear sections sometimes moving in different directions.
“With this one, I believe Rabbit will jump in the same direction,” he said.
The Shs25 million from Ruparelia Group gives Lwakataka a significant start towards his Shs220 million target as he works to rebuild his rallying career and return to the national championship.
