Rallying: Rally Jamaica 2010 begins on Friday

Drag All Out sped for 1320 ft at Jamwest on Sunday. Pictures relating to the event are being uploaded and fans who were not present are kicking themselves for missing the life changing, soul-stirring sights and sounds associated with drag racing in Jamaica.

Unfortunately, I am one of those fans. I am suffering silently, but I will recover in short order . As I had suggested in an earlier blog, a part of the thrill in going to Jamwest, resides in the driving to and from the race meet. The experience is rewarding, especially if I have the pleasure of steering a quick, sweet revving, superior-handling machine. My Civic Type R filled that order repeatedly, without complaint. I have moved on, however and until my current project, Nissan Skyline GTS-T is ready to approach such a trek, I will continue to sulk in silence.

My Type R partner in crime, Myrie, who owns a Honda Integra Type R (1996) was far too elated to keep his exploits on the day to himself. A few minutes before 10pm Sunday night, he called, to rub salt in my wound – “Fritz you miss a drive” he said. He went on to explain that he had changed the traction bar on his dream car and on the return leg of the journey, the Integra lived up to and surpassed his expectations. He was obviously in the glow of the moment, because he was driving around looking for a car wash to bathe his ‘baby’ before he went home – at minutes to 10pm on Sunday!

This weekend I do not need a supercar. All the action will be within reach of my trusty Nissan Bluebird. The jewel in the rallysport crown, Rally Jamaica 2010, will pop, crackle and rip through several exciting stages this weekend.

Gary ‘the Colonel’ Gregg

If you are one of those insane fans who enjoys a dust shower or look forward to dodging behind laden orange trees, to escape the missiles being hurled by a surface stripping WRC machine, your Christmas begins now. You will have the pleasure of being lost in the adrenalin theatre provided by at least 6 WRC machines. Defending champion, Gary ‘the Colonel’ Gregg may need more than spices and herbs if he intends to muzzle the other rabid machines and emerge victorious.

Jeffery Panton, a demon when seated in a rally car, will be praying for a gremlin-free Ford Focus WRC, which would allow him to drive the only way he knows how – Flat over crest! The Subaru Impreza WRC army has numbers on their side, with 3 entrants (1 Trini, 2 Bajans) and even though it is alone, the Suzuki SX4 WRC (Bajan) cannot be underestimated.

At least 20 competitors, from home and abroad, in 4 classes, will attack the stages in St Ann, on Saturday and St Catherine on Sunday. The event closes with the typically spectacular Super Special stage, this time around at the ocean front, downtown Kingston. The fan-centered activities will commence on Friday (3rd), with the official event opening and Parc Expose along Knutsford Blvd. Come out in your thousands, you will not be disappointed!

Cecil Munroe Gleaner On-Line Writer