The first two months of 2012 have come to a close and has seen a flurry of activity on the motorsports scene, as a packed calendar has been aggressively executed across our island home by the Jamaica Millennium Motoring Club (JMMC) and its affiliates in the disciplines of dexterities, sprints, drag racing and go-karting. The next two months will see action in the circuit racing arena and motocross, the remaining disciplines to host their inaugural 2012 events.
Drag racing
Jamwest Speedway has seen action both in the JMMC National Sprint championship on January 15 when the first of six rounds were held there, and also in the drag racing discipline. A most successful event was held on February 26 to start the five event 2012 season. Improvements to the facility in the expansion into a circuit facility and ironing out of some old issues has created a new interest in the venue, as the tireless efforts of operations manager Winsor Young and Jamwest principal Ian Gordon looks set to reap great rewards this year.
Watch the Lights, Jamwest Meet 1 results.
16 seconds
Winner – Andre Parkin Toyota Starlet Runner up – Christopher Simpson Honda Accord
15 seconds
Winner – Joel Patman Nissan Sunny Runner up – Yhan Chinloy Hyundai Accent
14 seconds
Winner – Damion Scott Fiat Uno Runner up – Richard Fray Honda Integra
13 seconds
Winner – Andrew Palmer Honda Integra Type R Runner up – Bryan Chambers Subaru Impreza WRX
12 seconds
Winner – Andre Kerr Toyota Corolla Runner up – Kirby Smallhorne Toyota Starlet
11 seconds
Winner – Herbie Edwards Nissan Pulsar GTi-R Runner up – N/A
10 seconds
Winner – Kinglsey Depass Toyota MR2 Runner up – N/A
Go karting.
The Jamaica Karting Association (JKA) also held its first event of the season on Sunday, February 26, and the revival of the Kid kart class that has been dormant for the past two years seems to be an area of interest, as Thomas Gore, son of decorated racing driver Douglas “Hollywood” Gore, made his debut at the event. Dubbed “generation next” by a popular newspaper columnist, the beginner class populated by 5-7 year olds should see interesting battles through the year as the series develops, as if young Tommi is anything like his father, the “lights, camera, action!” will now come to bear on this class of racing.
Results can be found here: http://www.mylaps.com/results/showevent.jsp?id=749164
Mark Moodie (50cc), Joshua Sirgany (Minimax), Thomas Issa (Rotax Junior), Peter Moodie Jr (Rotax Masters) & Colin Daley Jr (Senior) dominated their respective classes.
Newly elected JKA president Neil Williams is upbeat about the prospects of the association for 2012, as a move to host karting events in Montego Bay is already being discussed in conjunction with the JMMC in an attempt to broaden the reach and exposure of the association, as close, competitive racing exists across the classes in this discipline.
Dexterity
An exciting Wet ‘n Slide dexterity event took place at ATL Bogue City Centre in Montego Bay on the night of Saturday, February 18, and lived up to its promise of spectacular driving, good fun and food. Class winners in that event were Jordan Powell and Doug “Hollywood” Gore driving ATL Automotive supplied VW Polo and Audi S4 coupe respectively and Maurice “Wurl Boss” Whittingham and Ameer Johnson driving Team Mad Dem Racing Toyotas.
Sprint series.
The national Sprint series has already run two of its scheduled six events, with the first event at Jamwest on January 15 and the second event at Badda Badda Raceway on February 5. Class leaders after the two rounds are Jordan “Frosty” Powell in the highly competitive JA2 class on a maximum 300 points after his two first place finishes driving the R&B Auto Parts Toyota Corolla FX, Dean Corrodus on 220 points in Class JA3 with his Automotive Performance Centre Ltd/Maxxis Tyres/ATL Automotive Honda Civic Type R, Alan Chen in the JA4 class driving his Allied Concrete Toyota Corolla GTS on 50 points, Peter Jaggon on 150 points in Class JN8 in his IGL Gases Subaru Impreza WRX and Richard Chan in class JA8 driving his Excel Electronic Security Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IV ON 70 points.
Upcoming events for March are:
- the Tru Juice Rally to be held on Sunday, March 4 in the orange groves of Bog Walk,
- Meet #2 for the Jamaica Karting Association at Palisadoes International Raceway on March 11
- JMMC Sprint #3, the Brighton River Run 2012 on March 18 set for Palm Springs raceway in Santa Cruz, St. Elizabeth starting at 11 am
4. JMMC Dexteirty #3, Blockbuster “We set the trend!” at Meikle’s Block Factory, Spur Tree, Manchester on March 25
