RALLYSPORT : WE WEEP FOR RALLY JAMAICA! Part 1

Let me begin by saying congratulations to the winner of the 2019 edition of Rally Jamaica, Kyle ‘Speedy’ Gregg and co-driver Marcia Dawes. Congratulations must also be extended to all of the competitors/teams who entered and fought the valiant fight to compete in a discipline that demands True Grit and unyielding determination.

Motorsport has lost none of its expensive attachments and as such, at no time will we belittle the effort made by others when they show up, ready to devour the obstacles in their path, as they seek the only number in motorsports to which relevance is attached – P1!

Having said that, I can now state this – the current state of rallysport in Jamaica leaves everything to be desired. Dean Corrodus, in what was initially a circuit racing Whatsapp group – Auto Asylum + Politics – a group that the JRDC, allegedly, has distanced itself from -  conducts  comprehensive History lectures which I refer to as Reflection and Introspection.

In these lectures, he engages the audience in a historical account of Jamaican motorsports including his involvement in the various disciplines at all levels – competing organizing etc. There is no doubt in my mind, that at some stage, hopefully in the near future, someone will see it fit to recognise him for his contribution to motorsports. He might tell you that he did not make his mark for the likes, yes, he did it for the love and for that, in my view, he deserves honorable mention.

Dean, in some quarters though, is regarded as a polarizing figure, but no one can honestly dispute the level at which he operates, when he assumes managerial/ administrative duties. As stated earlier, Dean’s reflections address several disciplines but they also successfully paint a masterpiece, an exquisite, a magnificent picture of the Jamaican rallysport landscape in the late 1990s and early 2000s.

The norm then would boast good times being had by fans, with numerous potent machines jousting with purposeful intent at various events. Red Bull was not a prerequisite then for machines to fly, but, fly they did, much to the delight of the fans who willingly made their presence felt at the various venues.

Fast-forward to December 6, 2019. We pass through the official opening ceremony for Rally Jamaica 2019 and we were wondering if the event had a clause which specified that the number of cars/teams competing should be consistent with the months of the year!

We were informed that a dozen machines were scheduled to start Rally Jamaica. Visions of a famished, emaciated and castrated lion limping on an African savanna appeared. We were not amused. How did we get here? What are we going to do about it?

Cecil Munroe Gleaner On-Line Writer