When Team Rally Jamaica began the final day of Rally Trinidad 2019 with cars in 1st (Kyle & Marcia), 3rd (Timmy & Stephen) and 5th (Joel & Dmitri) hopes were high for multiple cars on the podium or even a dream clean sweep of the top three positions.
Kyle Gregg and Marcia Dawes did their part, driving thoughtfully with enough pace to manage their outright lead without causing undue stress to their car or themselves on the challenging Jack & Jill stages. They were rewarded with 1st in Group N and 1st Overall, winners of Rally Trinidad 2019.
Showing excellent pace while winning SS13 outright, Joel Jackson and Dmitri Dawkins were the first Jamaicans to suffer mechanical failure, as their gearbox broke on SS14 while in 5th place chasing a podium finish. The damage was severe enough to put them out of the rally permanently.
Unfortunately a similar fate would befall Timothy Stewart and Stephen Gunter three stages later while they were locked in a close battle with Trinidad’s Craig Sumair and Simon Rodriguez. The Evo IX’s gearbox housing cracked close to the transfer box, rendering them immobile on SS17 and with no spare gearbox in Trinidad they were out of the rally while in 3rd place.
For Bobby Marshall and Michelle Laidlaw, the five minute deficit caused by the electrical fire on Saturday’s first stage proved to be too much to overcome, as they tried valiantly to compete against the Porsche of Harold Morely, normally in a higher class than their Mirage. Finishing the final day without further incident, at the end Bobby & Michelle were credited with 6th Overall and 2nd in Class M4.
Lee Vaz and Andrew Grahame became the talk of the rally as they battled problem after problem, mostly with the suspension of their WRX. In all, they destroyed a total of five strut assemblies, twisting some into unimaginable shapes, but never giving up. The determined efforts of their service crew consisting of Chris Yap & Paul Lee coupled with Lee’s never-say-die attitude earned them respect and praise, so much so that the organizers of Rally Trinidad 2019 created a special “Spirit Of Rallying” award which was presented to Lee the following day.
JMMC congratulates Kyle & Marcia for winning Rally Trinidad 2019 and commend the entire Team Rally Jamaica for their accomplishments and efforts.
Pictured: Top left – the three Jamaican finishers. Top middle – Kyle & Marcia flying the Jamaican flag before going on the Super Special stage. Top right – Bobby Marshall thanks sponsor Buju Banton after completing the rally. Lower left – the special “Spirit Of Rallying” trophies created for Lee Vaz & Andrew Grahame. Lower middle – Lee Vaz accepting the trophies from TTRC President Matthew Russell. Lower right – Lee Vaz after finishing the Super Special stage with suspension almost fully collapsed.
