KENNY ‘Ichongedwe’ Mukosa was on Saturday crowned 2013 Zambia national rally champion after winning the final round in Monze.
Mukosa, who enjoyed massive support from the home crowd, was in the class of his own as he raced to victory with the timing of 1:43:10 hours.
Unknown Patel Dalal also put up an impressive performance to beat some experienced drivers and claim the second position.
Dalal clocked 1:56:04 hours to finish ahead of veteran Azim Ticklay, who managed 1:57:50 hours.
Last year’s champion Jassy Singh, who is also gunning for the Africa Rally Championship title, could only finish fourth after he clocked 1:58:00 hours while Shabbi Amin was fifth with 2:02:00 hours.
The sixth position went to Yasdaan Ticklay, who managed to finish the rally with the timing of 2:08:00 hours while Geoffrey Chulu finished seventh with 2:09:00 hours.
Ben Chipwaya failed to finish the rally after his car developed a fault after stage two.
Noel Masadza, too, could not drive up to the end because his Mitsubish Evo Four car developed a fault forcing him to retire just in stage two while Farouk Ticklay watched helplessly as his car caught fire.
Other drivers who did not finish are Muna Singh Junior and Kelvin Mulanga.
Zambia Motor Sports Association (ZMSA) vice-president for motor rally Sam Ching’ambu said the Monze rally was highly competitive.
Ching’ambu said it was the first time in recent years that a local rally had managed to attract 14 drivers.
He said the number of drivers who participated in the rally is an indication that the sport is developing.
Ching’ambu paid tribute to sponsors and fans.