Lwakataka turns sprint into Proto car fundraiser
Ponsiano Lwakataka at the NRC Championship in Lugazi
September 20 will be another date to remember in Uganda's motorsport calendar as drivers take to the stages not only to compete for championship points, but also to rally behind veteran driver Ponsiano Lwakataka's bid to acquire a more competitive machine.
The two-time National Rally Championship (NRC) champion is using the sprint to raise funds toward completing the purchase of a Volkswagen Proto rally car formerly owned by the late Rajiv Ruparelia.
Lwakataka, who has for years remained competitive despite driving older and less powerful machinery, believes the time has come for him to step into a car fitted with more modern technology.
The Volkswagen Proto is estimated to cost about $65,000. Lwakataka says he has already committed part of the sum toward the purchase, and hopes contributions from fans, friends and well-wishers will help him clear the remaining balance and raise additional funds for spare parts.
"Rajiv was my sponsor and friend. I was impressed by the way he drove that car and that is why I decided to buy it to also continue his legacy," Lwakataka said.
For Lwakataka, the purchase is more than just an upgrade. He believes having a competitive car will allow him to entertain his fans while reducing the risks associated with pushing older machinery beyond its limits.
"It is the only way I can continue entertaining my people for free. I take a lot of risks when I drive heavy cars that cannot compete with the current crop of machines," he said.
It would become the only Volkswagen Proto in Uganda's current rallying field, adding variety to a scene increasingly dominated by Ford Fiesta machinery.
Among the drivers using Ford Fiesta-based machines are Moses Lumala, Ronald Ssebuguzi, Duncan Mubiru and John Consta, while Musa Ssegaabwe has opted for a Škoda Fabia N5.
For Lwakataka, moving to the Proto would mark a new chapter in a career that has already produced two NRC titles and numerous victories. The veteran has continued to rely on a Subaru N12, a car that has delivered several successes but, according to him, now demands too much from both the driver and machine when competing against newer-generation cars.
"I won four events in a row out of seven last year, competing against those cars, but I later realised I was taking too many risks," he said.
Lwakataka has had a relatively quiet season so far, featuring mainly in sprint events. His most recent outing was in the opening sprint championship, which was won by Moses Lumala.
The September 20 event will therefore carry added significance for the veteran, who is not only chasing points but also seeking support for his return to the top level of competition.
Lwakataka believes acquiring the Proto could inject another dimension into Uganda's rallying scene by giving the established front-runners another serious challenger. For a driver who has built his reputation on determination and the ability to extract results from less competitive machinery, the Volkswagen Proto could provide the missing ingredient: speed and technology to match the modern generation.
