When the fifth round of the National Rally Championship (NRC) gets underway tomorrow in Jinja, Jas Mangat (Subaru N12) and Ronald Ssebuguzi (Mitsubishi Evo9) will start as joint favourites. Nonetheless, the duo will not dish any favours in the 197.1km rally as they pursue a common goal of victory and 'enemy' Nasser Mutebi (Subaru N4), the NRC leader. In typical style, Ssebuguzi, a two-time national champion and holder of the current crown, only sees competition with himself.

"As I said before, my worry isn't drivers but the traffic in the route like Kamuli. The sport has proved dangerous over the years," Ssebuguzi cautioned. Mangat, one of 33 drivers to make the ramp and winner of the last two NRC rounds, is hoping to keep his recent form intact. "Every rally brings a lot of pressure and this weekend is no different for me. I would not be dragged into those media wars. Let's take it into the routes," Mangat said. Fast-improving Godfrey Lubega directly plucked a leaf from Mangat's book. "I am not getting drawn into those media battles. Let the cars roar," warned Lubega. Mangat fired up.

Wycliffe Bukenya promised to give other drivers after shipping in new spares for his Subaru N11." I am ready to show other drivers that I am still a strong force," he said. The rally will start with a Super Special Stage at Jinja show grounds tomorrow before real action on Sunday.

NRC Standings

N. Mutebi 245pts

R. Ssebuguzi 229

J. Mangat 200 pts

P. Lwakataka 180