Rallying: Rally Jamaica begins today

Thursday evening I spoke to a few drivers to ascertain how preparations for Rally Jamaica were going.

Joel ‘Shifter Kart’ Jackson, competing in JN8, indicated that he had made a few changes to his Subaru Impreza for the rally (ecu and anti-lag). He was of the view that his biggest challenge in the class would come from the foreigners – for example, James Betts, but he is expecting at least a podium finish.

Christopher ‘Teach’ McFarlane will be flogging a Mitsubishi Lancer GT, in JA3, for the two days. When contacted, ‘Teach’ confirmed that he will be driving a ‘bone stock’ Lancer. Despite the absence of a limited slip differential,’ Teach’ said he will be driving “Flat, Flat, Flat and lots of sideways action.”

Jeffery Panton, competing in JA9, said his Ford Focus WRC was ready and this time around he will have all six gears, so he will be paddle shifting for a record seventh win. I asked him what he thought about Sean Gill’s SX4, to which he responded confidently –“I am not worried.”

Gary Gregg

Defending champion Gary Gregg (JA9), in his usual soft spoken manner, said his Ford Focus WRC was ready also. When asked about what fans can expect from him, he took the realistic approach when he said “Rallying is a tough sport”, but make no mistake, he has one goal – to win.

I can still see a specific sprint event at Vernamfield (Clarendon) which Gary Gregg won (I wrote about it a long time ago).At the end of the event, Jeffery Panton got a brief test drive of Gary’s car and the rest they say, is history. I am no martial arts expert, but it is often said, that only a ninja can kill a ninja. When I asked Gary Gregg who he saw as his biggest threat, he immediately said Jeffery Panton, then, he mentioned Roger Skeete and John Powell. The same question was posed to Jeffery Panton. Would you like to guess who he said was his biggest threat? You would be correct, if you said Gary Gregg.

One thing is certain, the individuals who have been starving all along, those who have been denied their balanced diet of frequent international type rallies, will be rejoicing like revelers at bacchanal!

WRC machines will be at the fore of the battle. Subaru Impreza WRC fans will have their fill of the spirits the foreign based all wheel drive extreme machines have to offer. On each stage, drivers will attempt to stop time. Take your pick – Alan Chen, Harold Morley, James Betts, Thomas Hall, Bobby Marshall, Matthew Gore, Jordan Powell, Daryl King, Dean Serrao, Sean Gill and the other drivers who complete the list for Rally Jamaica 2010 will all be serving delectable rooster tails. Today, a few ticks after 8am, the stages in St Ann will feel the wrath of 20+ aggressive drivers burdened by victorious intent. Rally Jamaica 2010 starts now!

Incidentally, did anyone notice that Jeffery Panton and his Ford Focus WRC were at the opening ceremony along Knutsford Blvd long before any of the other machines arrived? If his machine remains solid for the 2 days ………………….

Cecil Munroe Gleaner On-Line Writer