The MRT driver had garnered maximum points in all four events entered before the finale, but his first DNF of the season saw the title slip through his hands.
Micheal Mukula Jr. will be one of the drivers representing Uganda in the Shell V-Power Pearl of Africa Uganda Rally next weekend.
And despite driving a Subaru Impreza N14 against stronger machines like the Ford Fiestas, he is confident of challenging the top drivers for victory.
"What we are going to do is try as much as possible to finish. That's our main focus now," Mukula said on Wednesday.
"We had a pretty good season last year. Right now, in the Pearl Rally, there are so many drivers, and everyone is well prepared," he added.
"All the crews are very ready to fight, so we are not going to say that it will be an easy battle. There's going to be top drivers from around the continent."
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10:15 - 26.04.2023
PEARL RALLY KCB Bank boost Pearl Rally with Shs. 80m
The Pearl Rally is the most prestigious event on the FMU calendar and attracts drivers from beyond the borders.
Mukula was speaking after receiving sponsorship from KCB Bank and promised to ride on last season's positives.
What was supposed to be a season of silverware for the driver turned into frustration in the end after missing out on the Clubman Rally Championship.
Mukula needed three points from the final event on the National Rally Championship calendar in Rukungiri to land the CRC but will have to wait another season for the title.
Muhammed Bwete came out on top after Mukula rolled in the second stage of the rally to dash all his hopes.
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12:49 - 25.04.2023
PEARL RALLY FMU, Vivo Energy announce 180m Pearl Rally sponsorship
A 180m package was revealed Tuesday morning by Shell Managing Director Johan Grobelaar at the company head offices along Seventh Street in Kampala.
The MRT driver had garnered maximum points in all four events entered before the finale, but his first DNF of the season saw the title slip through his hands.
In the end, Bwete collected 82 points and beat Mukula to the title by just two points.
"The Americans say it's not over until the fat lady sings," Mukula joked.
"The one lesson, of course, is you have to focus on the finish. It doesn't matter what you do the entire year. The main focus is the finish.
"Before you win, you have to first finish. We didn't manage to win and it broke our hearts but there is nothing to do."
The Pearl Rally will be Mukula's first event this year, having missed the Mbarara Rally, and the driver hopes it will be the first of many to come this year.
Top drivers like Jas Mangat, who won the Pearl last year, Kenya's Karan Patel and Zambia's Leroy Gomes are some that Mukula must worry about ahead of the Pearl Rally.
The event will run through the districts of Jinja and Buikwe between May 5 and 7.
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