Rally Jamaica 2012 – machines hit the stages Saturday morning!

Marcia Dawes is my friend. If you do not know who Marcia Dawes is, I wont tell! Anyway, I called her to collect my press pass and despite my tardiness, she assisted, after ‘cussing me out’ in a jovial manner. Thanks Marcia!

Who can tell me the official name of Rally Jamaica 2012? Quit guessing! According to Larry Henriques, this year’s event is dubbed -  Rally Jamaica 2012 JMMC International Stages Rally. A mouthful, but no one is complaining.

As stated earlier, scrutineering was scheduled for Thursday and when I passed through, as I had indicated I would, the machines were popping and snorting as they made their way in to be examined.

WRC

In motorsports, the ‘big guns’ always draw the most attention and in rallying, the WRC machines are the big guns. So, the paparazzi gathered in camera-clicking full force, when representatives from the WRC click entered the parking lot at Stewart’s Auto Sales on South Camp Rd.

Jeffery Panton was present and being biased, I do not have to tell who I want to win the rally. New Kingston should be returning to normal as I type, recuperating from Rally Jamaica invasion. The ceremonial start to Rally Jamaica was a stationary one on Knutsford Blvd. and I am certain the fans enjoyed every minute they spent in the presence of the superior machines which were on display.

But, the meet and greet is now officially over and the real business of Rally Jamaica – Day 1 – will rev off, in Bog Walk, St. Catherine, early tomorrow morning (about 8:30am). The machines that were immaculately attired for today’s show and tell in New Kingston, will get low down and dirty as they explore Jamaica’s natural environment at blur-inducing speeds.

The War of the Caribbean (Jamaica, Barbados and Trinidad) begins tomorrow. Stage 1 – Bog Walk, Saturday morning!

Who will win Rally Jamaica 2012 JMMC International Stages Rally?

Cecil Munroe Gleaner On-Line Writer