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JMMC Hosts Successful Rally in the Bog Walk Vineyards despite drenching

A successful staging of the JMMC/Tru Juice/CVM Stages Rally was held in the Tru Juice vineyards of Bog Walk, St. Catherine, despite slippery conditions following a near torrential downpour of rain before noon.  With the introduction of the rains, traction proved to be continually evasive, even for the mighty WRC Ford Focus of Jeffery Panton.  While the competitors battled with grip issues throughout the day, this only added to the entertainment value for spectators, as they were treated to numerous drift-like displays by the entire field of competitors.  The rains also resulted in the cancellation of the running of the New Works stage which was scheduled to run twice after lunch.  This was however, compensated by running the Bybrook stage an additional time.

While the entertainment value for spectators was improved, the attrition rate normally experienced by competitors during the Bog Walk rally improved due to the evidently slower pace.  Of the 13 entrants, only three competitors were unable to complete the day.  Matthew Gore was unable to complete his first rally in over three years in Liquid Lightning Energy Drink sponsored Toyota Corolla due to mechanical failure. Other entrants not completing the day were Salvador Solis/Nigel Lyn in their Intec Resear/Horse P Racing Mitsubishi Evolution II.  Doug ‘Hollywood’ Gore/Mark Nelson were also dropouts, but a reason is yet to be established.

Jeffery Panton Dominates

Jeffery Panton with co-driver Michael Fennel, representing the JA9 class, stayed true to form in his Active Traders/Bearings & Seals/Automotive Art/Barcode/Jamaica Freight & Shipping sponsored Ford Focus WRC.  Jeffery and Mike completed the day with a total elapsed time of 37:10.772.  Even though the withdrawal by Doug Gore reduced the competition amongst the ‘big juice’ machinery, there was still stiff competition by Richard ‘Sir Rich’ Rerrie alongside Winston Dawson representing the JA8 class, in their very entertaining Pit bull/Leroys Auto Glass/Puma/Advantage General Insurance sponsored Subaru Imprezza WRX STi, nicknamed ‘Trauma’.  Sir Rich as usual, did not fail to entertain, while producing competitive times to keep Jeffery on honest.  Trauma completed the day with an elapsed time of 39:08.154.

The only other four wheel drive entrant to finish the day was Dave Lee/Colin ‘Stuffy’ Chambers in the JN8 class driving their Spot Valley Entertainment sponsored Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VIII, with an elapsed time of 41:57.886.

The Collonel Sharpening His Sword

Gary Gregg hasn’t seen any competition this year in a four wheel drive beast.  He has however been very consistent in his domination of the two wheel drive class in almost all the rally sport events he entered this year.  Alongside Hugh Hutchinson in his B.D. Gregg & Sons/N.G. Racing sponsored Honda Civic, he has not only won the mostly populated JA2 class, but also copped two wheel drive honors with an elapsed time of 43:27.922 ahead of Thomas Hall/Andre Gordon (Xsomo Intl./Sasco/Mobil 1/D & S Auto sponsored JA4 Toyota Turbo Starlet – 44:40.214) and Rally Jamaica 2008 defending JA3 champions Bobby Marshal/Carlington Brissett in their Motor Sales/Singer/Ocean Spray/TGIF/PPG/Derryk A. Gibson/Budget Car Rentals sponsored Mitsubishi Mirage RS with a best time of 45:05.464.

Second place in the JA2 class was Mark ‘The Stig’ Groves/Tricia Groves in their ASL Trucking/Liquid Lightning/Bryans Jewelry sponsored Toyota Levin (53:58.809), ahead of Daryl King/Rameses McGregor in their Ankara Auto/Rory Texaco/Thrifty Gas sponsored Toyota Starlet.

Dean Corrodus/Pernell Fitz-Coy was the only other entrant in the JA3 class in their Khumo Tires/Tropical Battery sponsored Honda Civic (48:14.370).  Husband and wife team of Jason and Katryna Lawson were the only representatives of the JN2 class, as well as the only rear-wheel drive entrants in their May Pen Ice/Mushroom Swim Wear sponsored Toyota Corolla (1:00:13.136).

The Anticipation Increases

With only one loose surface event (JMMC/Spot Valley Sprint 6 scheduled for November 1) to go before the highly anticipated Rally Jamaica 2009 in December, speculation is mounting about the coveted Rally Jamaica trophy.  A strong overseas contingent from the Eastern Caribbean to include the likes of Paul ‘The Surfer’ Bourne, Roger ‘The Sherriff’ Skeete and John ‘Penti’ Powell with improved machinery will be more than enough competition for our stalwarts Panton and Gregg.  However, as evidently seen this year, The Colonel has stepped down in class and is not expected to acquire a powerhouse for Rally Jamaica.  We would hope that the reason he’s been ‘practicing’ in the Honda is to surprise us come December.  Let us all hope that Panton will be able hold off the overseas invasion which may also include past Irish Rally Champion Mark Higgins.

This event was made possible by the efforts of Tru Juice, CVM, Xsomo International, KFC, Bay Wata, Tropical Battery and KIG

The next event on the Rally Sport Calendar will be the highly entertaining facility of Spot Valley hosting Sprint 6 on November 1, 2009.

For all spectators and other interested parties. Please see attached timesheet for the Rally to be held on Sunday October 4, 2009

Tru Juice CVM Rally Timesheet

JMMC/Tru Juice Gravel Stages Rally is set for Sunday October 4, 2009.  See ASR below:

TRU JUICE RALLY
JMMC 2009 GRAVEL STAGES RALLY# 2
ADDITIONAL SUPPLEMENTARY REGULATIONS

Name of Event:           Tru Juice Rally
 
Type of Event:            Loose Gravel Stages Rally with Pace Notes.  Distance:  Stage: 54.72km, Transit:  78.51km
Location:        Bog Walk, St. Catherine
Start/Date of Event:   Sunday, October 4, 2009 @ 10:00 a.m. @ Tru Juice Sports Club

Entry fee:        $10,000.00 inclusive of insurance
Entries Open: Monday, September 28, 2009  JMMC Office Tank Weld Equipment Building,  Ferry Industrial Estate, Kingston.  Tele & Fax #: 934-1288 (more…)

The penultimate event in the JMMC/Taboo Energy Drink Sprint Championship Series took a highly entertaining turn at the Spot Valley Sport Complex in the vicinity of Montego Bay, St. James on September 6, 2009.  The event dubbed as JMMC/Taboo/Turnkey Promotions Spot Valley Extravaganza Sprint 5, proved to not only be well attended by competitors and patrons, but also, highly entertaining.  In addition to the 26 competitors across a wide range of highly competitive classes, the event also brought back the fun and excitement so badly needed in Rally Sport competition in Jamaica.  By the cheering of the spectators, the exhibition Rally Cross proved to be among the most entertaining motorsport contests that have been witnessed this year. The sheer excitement of the five competitors jostling for position on a narrow loose surface was more than even fellow competitors were expecting. 

Jeffrey Panton, the sole JA9 entry, with his Castrol/Bar Code/ Bearings & Seals Ltd/ Active Traders WRC Ford Focus emerged the top car in the Sprint with a best time of 2:20.673 around the two lap dirt track. Winner of the JA8 class with only two entries, was Doug Gore in his Motor Sales & Service/Slam Condoms/ Sherwin Williams Paints/Amsoil/Goodyear/Hamilton’s Machine Shop/Frankies Restaurant/ Western Wheel Alignment/ Wings for Life Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X with a best time of 2:25.331, just ahead of event sponsor Junior Barnes in his Bay Waata Evolution 9 with a best time of 2:33.176; rounding out the top 3. (more…)

The next event on the JMMC calendar will be the second dort Sprint of the season.  THe event will be held at Spot Valley Complex in St James.

See ASR for more information.

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 sport rules and regulations of the JMMC. This event is open to all members in good standing of the JMMC and its affiliate clubs

This event will include quad bikes, and a special demonstration rallycross race.

Permit #: JMSP2009-21

NAME OF EVENT Taboo Energy Drink/JMMC sprint 4
DATE OF EVENT Sunday , September 6, 2009
START 10:00am
(more…)

JMMC Hosts First Successful Stages Rally of the Year

After many painstaking months, the Jamaica Millennium Motoring Club successfully staged the Raynor King Memorial Stages Rally in the cool hills of Lydford in the parish of St. Ann.  The numerous uncertainties brought on by the worldwide recession has severely affected motor racing in Jamaica, most noticeably, Rallies.  Normally held in the parish of Westmoreland, the Raynor King Rally has been one to look forward to in recent years. 

The King family with a strong background and presence in motor racing, has contributed tremendously to the sport and was not forgotten as relative Richie ‘Sir Rich’ Rerrie and son of Raynor, Daryl King were active amongst the competitors in the event.

The initial disappointment of the low competitor turnout of ten entrants was soon forgotten as the morning stages were brilliant in the St. Ann sunshine and the afternoon dialed in seasonal rain and more excitement to the day’s activities. 

Sir Rich in a Class by Himself

Richie Rerrie, the sole representative of the JA8 class was undoubtedly the fastest machine in the event.  Driving his popular KIG/Puma/Leroy’s Auto Glass sponsored Subaru Impreza WRX Sti, nicknamed Trauma, with co-driver Winston Dawson; finished atop the standings with an overall time of 31:15.997 after eleven stages.

Natasha Chang was the next fastest and winner of the JN8 class with an overall time of 35:02.261. Natasha, driving her Tropical Battery/Goodyear/Forza sponsored Mitsubishi Evolution 5, was accompanied by Mathew Gore the emerging international driver for Liquid Lightning energy drink.

Two other four wheel drive entrants (Salvador Solis/Nigel Lyn and Noel Sloley/Dorian Dolphy) were unable to complete the event.

 Jordan Powell in control in 2WD

Jordan Powell, with co-driver Gina Tomlinson were the fastest pair in the two wheel drive class, as well as class winners in the JA2 class.  Jordan, driving his Goodyear/ Gunk/Lloyd’s of Montego Bay/Performance centre/Add-Vantage Auto Parts sponsored Toyota Corolla FX finished with an elapsed time of 35:27.588 to also claim 3^rd fastest overall.

The two wheel drive competition was however, not meager for Jordan, as defending drivers champion Thomas Hall representing the JA4 class in his Xsomo/Sunoco Fuels/Advantage Performance Parts sponsored Toyota Turbo Starlet, was hot on Jordan’s heals the entire day winning his class and claiming fourth overall.  Also, Dean ‘Duct Tape’ Corrodus with co-driver Pernell Fitzcoy in their Tropical Battery/Kumho Tires/Performance Centre/Add-vantage Auto parts sponsored Honda Civic Type R were only able to win the JA3 class and take honors for 5^th overall.  Dion ‘Babybomb’ Gardner, with co-driver Julian Gordon evidently had car issues in his Petcom/Autosource sponsored Mitsubishi Mirage, rounding out the top six.

Hope for More to Come

Now that the proverbial camel is now off the JMMC’s back, and the worldwide recession seems to have peaked, we hope to see at least one more rally and two sprints before the premier Rally Jamaica 2009 to be held on the first weekend of December.

This event was made possible by the efforts of Xsomo International, KFC, True Juice, Bay Wata, Tropical Battery and CVM