Two time national rally champion Ponsiano Lwakataka has moved closer to a return to competitive motorsport after the Ruparelia Group contributed Shs25m towards his campaign to acquire a new rally car.

The financial support comes as Lwakataka seeks Shs220m to purchase a Volkswagen Proto previously owned by the late rally driver Rajiv Ruparelia. The contribution reduces the amount still required for the veteran driver to Shs195m.

Lwakataka is now planning a fundraising event at Garuga next month, where he hopes to mobilise further support and officially unveil the car that he believes will strengthen his chances of competing at the top level again.

Speaking after receiving the contribution, Lwakataka thanked the Ruparelia Group for backing his comeback and appealed to motorsport fans to turn up for the planned event.

“I am really happy and I want to assure our fans that the day of the unveiling of the rally car will be special. I call upon all rally fans to come to Garuga and see our car,” he said.

The occasion is also expected to carry special significance for the driver as it will mark 25 years of his involvement in motorsport. As part of the celebrations, Lwakataka plans to release a commemorative magazine documenting his journey, which will be sold at Shs10,000 at the entrance.

For Lwakataka, however, the focus remains firmly on the road ahead. He has been away from active competition but believes the Volkswagen Proto will offer a fresh opportunity to challenge again.

The veteran driver compared his previous car, known as Snake, with the machine he has now named Rabbit, saying the new vehicle represents more than a change of equipment.

“The car we have been driving was long and was named Snake. Now the name has changed. This is Rabbit, and I believe it is going to change everything,” he said.

He said handling difficulties with his former car had often affected his performance, particularly when different parts of the vehicle failed to respond as expected.

“With this one, I believe Rabbit will jump in the same direction,” Lwakataka said.

The Ruparelia Group’s contribution gives fresh momentum to a campaign that is now as much about bringing a decorated driver back to competition as it is about celebrating a quarter century of his rally career. With the fundraising drive still underway, attention will now turn to Garuga and whether Lwakataka can raise the remaining funds needed to complete his return.

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