Rally: Rally Jamaica 2012 – flashback.

Show me the bastard who coined this phrase – money cant buy you happiness! I have a pleasant surprise for him. After clobbering him mercilessly with the closet object to my left hand – I hope it can inflict ‘non-scar’ pain – I will scold him for his selfish and uncaring pronouncement.  I would then show him a machine I saw on Saturday that would give me endless pleasure. But the last time I checked my emaciated bank account, I was informed that my financial reality precludes such an acquisition. Essentially, if I had the money – happiness would be bought!

Fortunately I do not have all of my eggs in one basket and another source of happiness is just around the corner. Rally Jamaica will blast through the rough and tumble stages of St Catherine on the weekend! I am beside myself with joy, thanks to the prospect of witnessing a WRC or a WRC-type machine, rocketing along a gravel stage at incomprehensible speed for the conditions, before being flicked with superior skill and childish bravery (no fear) into the direction of the resolute orange trees, but all the time remaining steadfast and committed to negotiating the rapidly approaching treacherous corner! Beauty in motion!

It will all come together on Saturday, after the car show on the streets of New Kingston on Friday. So before the updates begin, let us remind ourselves of last year’s event.

As usual, the foreign invasion – WRC!

A ‘Trini’ machine.

The real M-A-N!

Matthew Gore on the stages.

Joel Jackson -  after completing the dirty work!

The Downtown gathering. This stage will be sorely missed this year.

Loved the vibe Downtown.

But when it was all over – all glasses were raised to the real M-A-N, pilot of the M-Sport machine – Jeffery Panton!

I always look forward to Rally Jamaica and my anticipation has not waned a bit. And this year we should see a much larger foreign contingent. But, the harder they come, the harder  they will fall – Jamaicans all the way! Who do you think will win Rally Jamaica – 2013?

Cecil Munroe Gleaner On-Line Writer