In the final opportunity to prepare for the this year’s Rally Jamaica 2009, Spot Valley Raceway in St. James came alive on Sunday November 1, 2009 for the second time in as many months. The final event in the Sprint Championship series, Sprint 6 will be remembered for the fierce battle between the JA2 Class competitors, the unforgettable landscape and scenery of Spot Valley Entertainment Complex, the return of one of racing’s most talented rear-wheel drive competitors, and the emerging popularity of Rally Cross.

The event was entered by thirty competitors (5 Quads included), but comprised of thirteen (13) JA2 entrants.  It was void of the fanfare of the last time, as TurnKey Promotions were absent this time around, which led to the JMMC and Dave Lee of Spot Valley taking care of the organizational tasks.  Needless to say, it was a successful event that left many spectators wanting more Spot Valley type venues and more Rally Cross.

Matthew ‘The Magnet’ Gore in his newly acquired Liquid Lightning Toyota Starlet completed the day in sensational form atop the 13 entry JA2 class.  The competition was a potent mix of Montego Bay heavy weights to include Dean Corrodus, Jordan Powell, Maurice Whittingham, Ivan Lee, Richard Chan and the improving Daryl King.  At the end of the second of three 2 lap runs, Mathew fell behind to fourth in class with very little hope of improving on his first run.  He however, made a six second improvement on his first run in the third to win not only the class, but also, two wheel drive honors.  The Magnet finished with a best time of 2:35.808 ahead of Jordan Powell (Toyota Corolla FX - 2:36.824) and Maurice Whittingham (Toyota Starlet – 2:37.960).  The Magnet further went on to finish third behind Junior Barnes (JA8 Mitsubishi Evolution) and Dave Lee (JN8 Mitsubishi Evolution).

Chippy’s Return

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.

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…)

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

Jeffrey Panton takes Sprint 2 in a time of 1:12.814 to make it 2 out of 2 for the 2009 JMMC National Sprint Championship. With 4 sprints to go it will be interesting to see how things shape up.

Fast on his heels was Doug Gore running in class JC2 in a time of 1:14.418. Third fastest overall was Gary Gregg in his JA2 Honda Civic with a time of 1:19.400. He was followed by Tarik Minott in a time of 1:20.000 to place 4th overall and 2nd in class JA2.

Dean Corrodus won class JA3 in a time of 1:23.000 followed by Dion Gardner in a time of 1:24.000.

In class JC1 Alan Chen won in a time of 1:21.843 which was also the 5th fastest time overall.

Full event report with results to follow soon.

Report by M. Dawes-Lamey from RallyJamaica.com

The premier motorsport event on the Jamaica Millennium Motoring Club calendar took place on the weekend of December 5-7 2008.  Dubbed the Petcom Stages Rally, massive crowds gathered at the National Stadium in Kingston Jamaica on the afternoon of Friday December 5th to witness the preliminary challenge of a two lap sprint around the National Stadium.  Accompanied by the Mexican Ambassador to Jamaica to show support, the duo of Ricardo Trivinio and Checo Salom representing Mexico in their Peugeot 206 WRC were competing in the event for the first time. However, they were to face serious competition over the following two days as the potent pair of Roger ‘The Sherriff’ Skeete and Robert Simmons of Barbados were campaigning a Subaru Imprezza WRC, as well as Paul ‘Surfer’ Bourne and Stuart Maloney in a similar Subaru, also of Barbados were intent on relieving Jamaica of the coveted overall 1st place trophy.  Jamaica was however well represented in the JA9 class, as reigning champions Gary ‘The Colonel’ Gregg and Hugh Hutchinson in their Ford Focus WRC were prepared to go to great lengths to ensure that the championship is retained in Jamaica.  Gary was not to be alone, as Jeffrey ‘Fudgy’ Panton and Mike Fennel Jr. upgraded their ride since last year to return with a Ford Focus WRC.  With five WRC machines entering the event that boasted a total of 41 entrants, motorsport enthusiasts came out in their numbers to see Energy Minister Clive Mullings wave of some cars to officially start the event. (more…)