By GWEN CHIPASULA –
PEMBE Milling has donated K70, 000 towards the hosting of the 2016 Pembe national rally which is scheduled for next weekend in Chisamba.
The donation, which will come with K35,000 in cash and the other K35,000 in kind, was announced yesterday at the Lusaka Motor Club where the Zambia Motor Sports Association (ZMSA) held a press briefing.
Meanwhile, Clerk of the Course Paul Monge has confirmed that 70 per cent of the stages would be new for this rally which revs off with the qualifying stage at the Lusaka Showgrounds.
Monge also confirmed that the event had so far attracted 26 drivers who will cover a distance of 154 kilometres with the event expected to run from July 23 to July 25.
He said the idea of bringing up new stages was aimed at giving participants a new challenge.
And former national rally champion Jassy Singh said it would be a new event with a new challenge, adding that he was looking forward to the excitement that the event would  bring.
Jassy, who made his return to the last rally and emerged victorious, said he expected stiff competition from his brother Muna Singh Junior and his father Muna Senior, as well as Miles Monge who will also take part in the event.
“Competition looks stiff but we shall be ready to compete. I am looking forward to the day,” he said.
Another Lusaka driver Kelvin Mhlanga said his target for the event would be to beat everyone.
Meanwhile, Pembe Milling representative Wesley Musukwa said the company was happy to be part of the motor sport event again.
And ZMSA vice-president Sam Ching’ambu thanked the sponsors for the continued support to the association.