By GWEN CHIPASULA –
JASSY Singh says he is targeting winning next weekend’s Samfuel rally to be held in Ndola to get his campaign of retaining the national title back on track.
The reigning national champion is tied on 100 points with his young brother Muna Singh Junior but Jassy said he wanted to make up ground after missing the sixth edition of the Zambia Motor Sports Association (ZMSA) sixth edition of the national rally held in Monze.
. Jassy
Jassy, who is also a former African champion, missed the Monze rally after his Subaru Imprezza N15 rolled during the Pearl of Africa Uganda Rally in Kampala to see him concede the FIA-ARC title to Kenyan Jaspreet Chatthe.
“Samfuel has always been a good partner to ZMSA and that is probably one of the main reasons I am taking part. I still have no car but I will use my young brother’s car. I cannot wait for the competition,” Jassy said during a media briefing at the Lusaka Motor Club yesterday.
The rally revs off on October 24 with spectacular night stages happening for the first time slated for Independence Day at the Ndola Motor Club (NMC) and at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola.
On Sunday the main event moves to Kitwe where competing teams will go neck-to-neck as they tackle the terrains of the Mindolo Dam’s stages.
Jassy and Muna Junior are leading the drivers’ race with 100 points followed by Leroy Gomes on 74 points with Farook Ticklay on 68 points while Vyon Pinto completes the top five on 66 points.
ZMSA vice-president Sam Ching’ambu said the association had a K70,000 budget and commended companies such Samfuel Limited, Diesel Talk and Mopani Copper Mines for coming on board to ensure the rally was a success.
Other sponsors are Manzi Valley who will provide refreshments to the competitors, Pembe Milling to help with 100 bags of mealie meal which will be given to the ZMSA to donate to a charity of its choice.
“With provisional confirmed entries of 29 participants and 13 stages covering a total distance of 99.75kms, this is a rally never to be missed as great fun and motoring action will be guaranteed.
“We appeal to all fans, spectators and the general public to obey safety teams’ instructions and watch from safer distances. Let us keep and maintain safety in our sport,” Ching’ambu said.
