Tru Juice/CVM TV Rally JMMC Gravel Stages Rally 2

I passed through the Tru Juice/CVM TV Rally JMMC Gravel Stages Rally #2 on Sunday. In the build up to the rally, persons were reportedly doing the rain dance and praying for a little rain to heighten the excitement at the very popular watersplash – a main feature of this rally, held in Bogwalk, St. Catherine. Far too many persons were doing the dance, however and for a rally which is described as : Type of Event – Loose gravel stages, it was indeed very loose but, not as a result of the gravel.

Rain

It rained cats and dogs – no I am lying- it rained more animals than those found in Noah’s Ark! Rain is usually an equalizer of sorts and creates interesting racing, but in rallies it can create treacherous conditions for both car and team (driver/navigator). In Bogwalk, rain created a mud-bath and as Doug Gore indicated in a post “rain at Bogwalk is no fun at all, a car breaker”.

Spectators usually have a grand time at rallies when it rains, because there are few things more entertaining than a car under power slipping and sliding, as the driver does his best to keep it pointed in the correct direction. That was the order of the day for the competitors who were bold enough to enter the stages. Rain, soil, grass and whatever else mixed to create a surface as slippery as a banana peel.

I saw a few stages, at the spots chosen by the Panton followers. At these locations, I was able to see the drivers battle with their unpredictable machines, wrestling with the steering and trying their utmost to keep pace with the requisite throttle input. It was an exquisite dance which several drivers mastered. Under those conditions the all wheel drive platforms will always have the advantage, but there were a few front wheel drive machines that were disputing their lack of advantage. Dean Corrodus in his ‘healthy sounding’ Kumho sponsored Honda Civic Type R and Gary ‘the Colonel’ Gregg in another Honda Civic (prepared by Peter Moodie) were valiantly bringing the fight to the big boys.

The conditions were far from ideal and despite having the fastest time on the first stage, Doug Gore withdrew, opting to save the car for upcoming events. Several competitors in what was a small field, developed problems during the event and had to withdraw as well (Salvatore Solis and Matthew Gore).

Fun

For the most part it was good fun for the fans who ignored the weather and took to the stages. At the Tru Juice refreshment stand, rally fans were introduced to various concoctions which kept a number of individuals in high spirits (thanks to rum punch).

The rally was in some way a break from the norm and despite conditions normally associated with the RAC rally of Great Britiain (WRC) I am thankful that the drivers and teams maintained their high level of commitment, completed the stages and in so doing entertained the fans who came out. The fans even got an opportunity to participate as the Lawson driven Toyota Corolla SR5 got ‘way out of shape’ on a very slippery rise and being rear wheel drive, somehow when he reversed to then go forward the car got stuck in the mud. The fans eager to lend a helping hand, rallied around the team (K Lawson/ J Lawson) and pushed the car out until it regained what little traction it could.

It was a wet day, a day filled with cars having next to no traction, opposite lock, no lock, brakes couldn’t help, going to the gas pedal made it worse and these stories could be heard as you walked through at the lunch stop. I had no complaints. I got another opportunity to see Jeffery Panton and Richie Rerrie in action, on a day when the ability of man and machine was given a comprehensive test.

Thanks to the organizers who made the event possible and even more thanks to the competitors who gave it their best despite being at war with mud for the entire day.

A word to the wise – some prayers are answered!

Cecil Munroe Jr Gleaner On-Line Writer