Richard Kaliisa Clinches Inaugural Smoke vs Steel Motorsport Title

The first-ever Smoke vs Steel motorsport competition concluded with Richard Kaliisa taking the top honours. The three-day event, held from August 21-23, 2026, at Jinja’s Banana Resort Beach Track, challenged 35 registered drivers across two distinct motorsport disciplines: gymkhana/time trial and quarter-mile drag racing.

Competition commenced with essential safety checks and vehicle registrations on Friday. Saturday’s focus was on the gymkhana and time-trial events, which tested drivers’ precision, car control, and consistency. Kaliisa secured valuable points in this segment, finishing as the second runner-up and keeping his aspirations for the overall title alive.

The climax of the event arrived on Sunday with the drag races. Piloting his BMW M8 Competition, Kaliisa demonstrated remarkable straight-line speed, remaining undefeated in the quarter-mile sprints. This dominant performance in the drag races, combined with his strong gymkhana showing, propelled him to the overall victory.

“The victory was not only about taking the inaugural overall honours but also about putting on a show for the fans who turned up to witness the action. I promise my supporters even more excitement when the drivers return for the next edition,” stated a jubilant Kaliisa.

The Smoke vs Steel event highlights the importance of versatility in motorsport, requiring a blend of acceleration prowess and technical driving skill. The Federation of Motorsport Clubs of Uganda (FMU) has officially added the event to its calendar, signaling its growing significance. Kaliisa’s triumph marks him as the first champion of this emerging motorsport spectacle.

Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/sports/motor-sport/kaliisa-wins-inaugural-smoke-vs-steel-in-jinja-5574650