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 3rd 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 5th 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
