This will be a December to remember for Jamaican motor racing fans, as the 2011 season comes to a close, there is a flurry of activity on the local scene that’s reflective of a sucessful year and indicative of an even wider reaching 2012 season.

An examination of the event flyers for the 7 events slated to be held between November 27 and December 27 shows that Jamaican motorsports entertaiment is probably at an all time high. On Sunday, Novemeber 28, Jamwest Raceway located in Old Hope, Westmoreland, Jamaica’s only purpose built drag racing facility, will be the venue for “Rise of the Machines 4”, the 5th and final drag racing event of the year. It doesn’t stop there however, as the track owner Ian Gordon has been busy carving out a circuit track on the property, which has already been marled and rolled to form a rallycross racer’s dream circuit, incorporating the ½ mile drag strip with a wide, fast circuit track that is sure to see thrilling battles when complete.

The event starts with qualifying on Saturday, November 26, with alias’ such as Bad Oil, Damage, Puffy, Alpine, Buju and Likkles slated to be on track for a final tire burning showdown on the 1320.

For further information, contact Winsor Young at 817-9657 or visit the venue’s Facebook page at: http://www.facebook.com/groups/9297141774/

That same evening, in the normally quiet, cool hills of Manchester at Master Block factory in Kirkpatrick, drifters and spinners will be in their elemenmt as the thrid annual ‘Drifting invasion” takes over, with names such as Marcus Barnes, Mark Thompson, Ian Wright, Sanjay and Randall Singh, Jamar Kinkead and Cleve “Cutta Hype” Ottey entertain the expected thousands.
For further information contact Patrick Thompson at 450-1893.

The Jamaica Millennium Motoring Club’s (JMMC) signature event, Petcom Rally Jamaica 2011, is next on the calendar, runnng from Friday December 2 to Sunday, December 4. The 20th anniversary event starts of with the ceremonial start in front of VMBS on Knutsford Blvd in the capital city’s business district at 6 pm on Friday, and moves out to the spectator friendly Tru Juice stages in Bog Walk for a day in the orange groves (for special stages in Bybrook and New Works) on Saturday morning, starting at 8 am at the Petcom Service Station in Angels, St Catherine.
On Sunday morning, action gets underway at 7:30am from the Tank Weld Service Yard in Michelton, Bog Walk, and will use the short Bybrook stage, the famous Wakefield “watersplash” stage and from there head back closer to Kingston for the Bernard Lodge canefield stage at approximately 1:30pm before culminating at 4:00pm on the waterfront of downtown Kingston for the Festival of Speed super special stage, which will have the added attraction of 20 circuit racing cars normally seen at Dover raceway racing on the newly repaved roads closed off to form a circuit track! The prizegiving ceremony closes the series of events on Monday, December 5th at the Knutsford Court Hotel, which is the official rally headquarters.
For further information contact Larry Henriques at 382-4219 or visit www.rallyjamaica.com or the event’s Facebook page athttp://www.facebook.com/events/145921732167375/.

The popular “Slippery Wen Wet” Ultimate Car exhibition show and dexterity returns to Pines Plaza in Junction, St. Elizabeth on December 11, when the JMMC host the 4th dexterity test event of the season, with the “Winter Motolympics” being the star attraction billed for the day. That event starts at 2pm and will see keen competition in the rear wheel drive class between several drivers vying for championship points, however they may be upstaged by the 4×1 relay exhibition or the basketball shoot out, as Team Pro X Racers, Team Western and Team Performance go head to head for the top prizes.

For further information contact Kingsley Scott at 402-0107 or 773-0395 or visit the event’s Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/events/175719225845537/

Come Sunday, December 18, its St. Mary’s turn to sample the motorsports exhibition showcase, as the new Buccaneer Jerk Centre in Llandrumney just outside of Port Maria will be the venue for  “Bikers Burn Out”, a family fun day and night event, with bike stunt riders such as Pugu, Gichie, Cutta, Mad Dog and Oraine taking two wheeled excitement to the fans. Rallysport star and 3 time National drivers champion Richard Rerrie in his Subaru Impreza WRX will also be performing along with Cleve “Cutta Hype” Ottey in his turbocharged rear wheel drive Toyota Starlet, Maurice “Mad Dem” Whittingham in his rear wheel drive Starlet and crowd favorite Ian Wright in “the Big Red Truck”, a Toyota Tacoma pickup. The event is set to cater to the entire family and has kiddies attractions and a bounce-about, with dirt bikes, remote control cars and helicopters performing. The event starts at 10 am.

For further information, call Michael Dawson at 402-5897 or visit the event’s Facebook page at: http://www.facebook.com/events/109551852492488/

On December 26, the action moves to may Pen, Clarendon, for the Square Memorial, when Monk and family of “Excuse Me” truck fame stage “Drifting in May Pen” at the Regency Strip near Mineral Heights Commercial Blvd. gates open at 8am and some of the attractions include freestyle drifting exhibition and a sneak peak at “Truckshow 2012”, which has proven to be extremely popular. The event is hosted by Reggae Rodgers and there will be an after party at Regency Plaza.
Come see the famous truck “EXCUSE ME” and other Crazy Show Trucks in Jamaica!!!!
Featuring Jamaica’s greatest Drifters:
Richie Rerrie, Cutta Hype, Alan Chen, Christopher Rickman, Randal Singh, Scott Racing crew, Gowayne Gordon, Haymans,
Mad Antz Racing, Sav Crew, , St Bess Crew, Manchester Crew, Clarendon Crew and cars from all over Jamaica.

For further information, contact Christopher Rickman at 351-4524 or visit the event’s Facebook page at: http://www.facebook.com/events/140318966076181/

If all of that wasn’t already enough, the JMMC is slated to cap off the year on December 27 with the 5th and final Dexterity test at Whitter Village in Ironshore, Montego Bay. Organized by Team Mad Dem Racing President and CEO Maurice Whittingham and the Team MBMC Executives, the much anticipated event should be another step in taking the motorsports entertainment package right across Jamaica in 2011, with a view to continuing the momentum into the new year.
For further information contact Maurice Whittingham at 862-2745 or 572-2779.

Motorsports events for the remainder of 2011

November 27 – Jamwest

December
02/04 – JMMC Rally Jamaica Gravel

11 JMMC Dexterity 4, Pines Plaza, Junction, St. Elizabeth.

18 Bikers Burn Out, Landrumney, St Mary (non championship)

27 JMMC Dexterity 5, Whitter Village, Ironshore, Montego Bay.

http://livestre.am/15xCz

Rally Jamaica 2011, December 2-4, 2011: Twenty Years Celebration!!!

3 Days of Fun Filled Motorsporting Action. AN EXCITING EVENT IN MOTORSPORT. The Caribbeans largest gravel rally spectacular!! Come and experience an adventure of a lifetime, comfortable, and worry-free. We look forward to showing you OUR world COME HAVE fun on the island known as “JAMROCK”.

The organizers of Rally Jamaica 2011 invite suitably qualified members of the Jamaica Race Driver’s Club and the Jamaica Millennium Motoring Club who have competed in 2011 to enter the Festival of Speed downtown Kingston 20th Anniversary Superspecial stage of Rally Jamaica on Sunday, December 4, 2011.

Competitors must complete the rally entry form, pay a nominal entry fee of Ja$2,000.00, be in possession of a valid JMMC Competition license for 2011, wear the approved safety gear required for all speed events and have a vehicle that is compliant with the Thundersport Class 1 or Class 2 requirements as outlined by the JRDC and must have competed in a JMMC speed event or a JRDC circuit event in 2011.

Entries are limited to 20 competitors who will be afforded two timed runs of the course. Awards will be presented for this section of the event in the two categories listed above i.e. Thundersport Class 1 (0 - 2300cc) and Thundersport Class 2 (2301cc - unlimited) with corrective displacement factors applied. Please see the technical regulations of the JRDC available elsewhere on this very same website or at www.jrdc.org for further information on vehicle classification and safety requirements.

For further information, contact Larry Henriques @ 382-4219 or visit www.rallyjamaica.com

Central Jamaica is in for an adventure next weekend, November 6th 2011. Why? That is where the 6th and final in the Jamaica Millennium Motoring Club’s national dirt sprint championship series will be held, just outside of Santa Cruz. The journey to get there is interesting to say the least, and you will feel as if you are travelling to the end of ….however the venue is so worth it. Amongst the rolling hills is an interesting track with a number of tight corners and short straights, so the drivers had better be on top form to negotiate it and win their points for the Dirt Sprint Drivers Championship for 2011.

Kyle Gregg                                                        Matthew Gore                                 Daryl King

There are several spectator friendly spots amongst the many trees that grace this beautiful property and to make things even more special there is a natural swimming pool and river. What more can you really want in a day out…Cars…River…great food and the usual banter of the motorsports fanatics.

We are expecting a great turnout for this event as it is the last dirt sprint for the year and it will be the deciding event for the Sprint Champion for 2011, we expect to see Kyle Gregg in his high powered Honda Civic fighting to the bitter end with the likes of Matthew Gore, Maurice Whittingham, Jordan Powell, Daryl King, Keith “Slicks” Saunders  to name a few……Who  shall be crowned the winner?

How to get there:

When heading west into Santa Cruz from the Mandeville side, turn right into the Olive Park housing development. If coming from the western end, it will be the 3rd left turn after passing the Total Service Station after STETHS.

Proceed uphill through the residential neighbourhood straight past the roundabout and then turn left at the end of the road. You will follow that road, turning right after passing through a cross drain and eventually you will reach a dug out marl pit with decent subdivision roads but no houses.

Drive through that and then make the next right onto the local road.

Go downhill past a yellow church on the left then make the next left turn and you are on the final leg of the journey.

Don’t be discouraged as the road narrows, but continue for about 1/2 mile and then the track is on the left.

JMMC 2011 Sprint #6
ADDITIONAL SUPPLEMENTARY REGULATIONS
This event is sanctioned by the Jamaica Millennium Motoring Club (JMMC) and held under the present Code and under the Present Motor Sports Rules and Regulations of the JMMC.  This event is open to all members in good standing of the JMMC and its affiliate clubs.

PERMIT#
NAME OF EVENT Brighton River Run, JMMC Dirt Sprint # 6
VENUE Brighton, Santa Cruz, St. Elizabeth
TIME 11:00am, Sunday, Nov 6, 2011,
TECH INSPECTION & SIGN IN 10:00 - 10.30 am. Sunday, Nov 6, 2011 in paddock area.
DRIVERS MEETING 10:45 a.m. Sunday, Nov 6, 2011 at timing tent.
TYPE OF EVENT Dirt Sprint - two lap qualifying runs. Three laps Championship Run
Timing Stopwatch
TROPHIES As per JMMC rules governing sprints for 2011. Quads will be awarded trophies for first second and third overall
ENTRY FEE $3000 incl. of insurance. Quads $2000.00 entry fee. All cheques payable to The Jamaica Millennium Motoring Club.
ENTRIES OPEN: 9:00 am. Sunday, Nov 6, 2011.
ENTRIES CLOSE: 10:30 am, Sunday, Nov 6, 2011.
Official Notice board Beside timing tent at start/finish line.

Event officials
ORGANISER Dean Corrodus (361-9800)
SECRETARY Rosemarie Jadusingh (381-5307)
STEWARDS Chief Steward:     Peter Clarke
Steward:         Mark Evans & Chris Sutherland
CLERK OF THE COURSE Dean Corrodus (361-9800)
Scrutineer Corey Walters
SCORER Marcia Dawes-Lamey 434-1755
AMBULANCE Gentle Care Ambulance Service (847-1737)
INSURANCE Thwaites, Finson & Sharpe/JIIC
DOCTOR TBA

GENERAL INFORMATION
RESULTS Posted ½ hour after final run.
JMMC issued Competition license for 2011 must be presented at event.
Approved safety gear is mandatory. Log Books will be checked at scrutineering.
Quad Bikes riders are reminded that full safety gear is mandatory.
Street car classes will be run.
Requirements are:
• Road worthy vehicle
• working fire extinguisher
• approved driving suit and helmet
• Several chicanes are placed on the course for the street car class at or before the braking zone of the faster corners.
The street car classes will be further divided as: 1. Four wheel drive (4WD)
2. Forced induction two wheel drive
3. Naturally aspirated two wheel drive.

Motor racing fans are in for an intense offering for indulgence of their passion starting this weekend as several top notch events are scheduled each week for their satisfaction.

It all starts at 8 p.m. on Saturday night, October 1 in Montego Bay, when The Automotive Performance Centre Ltd in association with ATL Automotive Ltd stages Bayslide, the 3rd round of the Jamaica Millennium Motoring Club’s 2011 Dexterity test series at Bogue City Centre, popularly referred to as ATL Plaza. The location  houses not only the new car dealership of ATL that offers the Honda, Audi and Volkswagen brands, but also ATL Brittanica that carries the prestigious Jaguar, Range Rover and Land Rover marques. The popular night time event started in this western city in 2006 makes a welcome return, and top competitors such as Cleve “Cutta Hype” Ottey, Maurice Whittingham from Team Mad Dem and the sibling pair of Randall “Rambo”  and Sanjay Singh are set to thrill the audience.

The action moves further west on Sunday, October 2, when Young’s Service Centre stages “Rise of the Machines 3”, Jamaica vs. Cayman drag race meet at Jamwest Speedway, Old Hope, Little London, Westmoreland. Racing will take place in several bracket classes ranging from 8 to 16 seconds on the purpose built ¼ mile drag strip.

One week later on Sunday October 9, the Montego Bay Motoring Club is scheduled to host the 5th sprint in the JMMC National Sprint championship at Moreland Raceway in St. James. The venue has seen scorching action in the past with overall and class honors contested keenly by drivers from Team Mobay Racing, RMS and Team Challenger. A favorite of drivers and a dusty spectacle for patrons, Moreland holds a challenge that only the brave and skilled face down for top honors at this venue.

The go kart event slated for the 9th of October has been cancelled due to low entry levels, but Jamaican karters have been active abroad and at the recent Pan American Rotax Championship, held at New Castle Motor Sports Park Indianapolis on September 25, the Reggae Karters put in great performances, with some top class lap times and positions in the heat races, pre-finals and finals!

Top of the starting lineup was Justin Sirgany (Micro Max) with a solid 2nd in the final, followed by Thomas Issa (Junior Rotax) 3rd, Colin Daley 5th, Mathew Williams 9th and William Myers 14th.

Joshua Sirgany in the Mini Max class placed 11th.

The reggae karters put up strong battles, but unfortunately due to slipery conditions on the weekend that saw a down pour which started on Saturday and continued through Sunday causing a very slick track, those of lesser experience were at a disadvantage.

On race day, Justin went off in the first lap and could not continue! Thomas was punted off in corner 2 and started dead last, with another off track excursion bringing his day to a premature end, while Colin Daley fought his way to a credible 4th place followed by Mathew Williams 7th and William Myers 17th out of a 28 karts.

Big teams with big budgets were on hand to demonstrate their prowess in capturing the various titles and places at the World Rotax Finals in Abu Dabi in November.

All in all the reggae karters made their presence known and gained a wealth of experience particularly in the art of wet weather driving!

The Jamaica Race Drivers Club (JRDC) overall and class champion drivers will be determined at the “Heroes of Speed” Race meet to be held at Dover Raceway on Sunday October 16 (qualifying) and Monday 17 (race day). Young Kyle “Speedy” Gregg (BD Gregg & Bros/Konig Wheels/Hero Tyres/MAD/NG Racing Honda Civic) is in a good position to cop the overall as well as two class titles, but the bragging rights for overall fastest lap time should be an intense tussle between current holder Douglas “Hollywood” Gore in his ATL Automotive Racing/Boom /Wata /Petcom Audi TT DTM racecar and former holder David “The King” Summerbell in his Total/Cariburst/Motorcraft Batteries /Stack Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution 8.

Expect good performances from Chris Campbell in the repaired Fruta sponsored BMW M3 after fuel delivery and suspension issues that plagued the car at previous meets have been identified and addressed, with Chris attaining a reported 143mph at the end of the front straight even with wheel-spin, faster than any other car known or recorded to have achieved at that point! Peter “Bull” Thompson has been at the track testing his revamped May Pen Ice Mazda RX7 and reports reaching this writer suggest that the power delivery and handling problems have all been sorted and the car is performing very well, with only a brake issue to be remedied before the big weekend.