Correction: Roger Skeete
October 28, 2010 by SCampbell · Comments Off
As documented in previous update, Roger Skeete will not be campaigning in a Subaru S10, but in fact, a Subaru S12.
We apologize for any discomfort this may have cost.
Overseas Competitors lead the charge for Rally Jamaica 2010
October 23, 2010 by SCampbell · Comments Off
Could this be the year that rally sport is given a shot in the arm and return to a competitor turnout of over 50 in Rally Jamaica 2010? It is now October and only one rally has been run in Jamaica up to this point. Rally sport has seen a decline in entrants and events since the global recession was announced. However, the international competitor turn out for this year will rival the entry level for the rally event ran earlier this year.
A tremendous marketing effort was kicked off in Barbados earlier this year, to include Rally Barbados, by the Rally Jamaica organizers. This included the two WRC Ford Foci piloted by Gary Gregg and Jeffrey Panton remaining in Barbados for the better part of this year promoting entries for our stellar motor sport event. This has reflected in the interest by rally enthusiasts from the eastern Caribbean and by extension Great Britain. Rally Jamaica has confirmed at least 7 overseas entries to include Barbados, Trinidad and Great Britain.
Overseas Competitors
The overseas WRC entrants will once again be led by Roger “The Sheriff” Skeete in his WRC Subaru Impreza S12. An absentee the previous year, Roger has been dominant in events staged in Barbados, and may prove to be the most potent competitor with a legitimate chance of capturing the Rally Jamaica trophy. There has been a rivalry with Barbados over the years and it is a sore issue for enthusiasts in Barbados when they are reminded that the Rally Jamaica trophy has never been taken by a Barbados competitor, when the Barbados crown has been taken by Jamaicans on more than one occasion.
Third place finisher in RJ09
, John “Penti” Powell a Jamaican residing in Trinidad is now accustomed to his Subaru Impreza S12 WRC after its debut in RJ09. John is no stranger to the Jamaican stages and has threatened to capture the trophy at the very last stage on previous occasions.
Jamaicans will get the opportunity to see their very first WRC Suzuki in action this year. The highly competitive Sean Gill will debut in this class for the first time in Jamaica with a WRC Suzuki SX4.
Other competitors include Dean Serrao who will enter in a new WRC machine. Dean has been a co-driver and most recently a third in class competitor at last year’s ev
ent, representing the JN8 class. James Betts has been the man to beat in the JN8 class with his Subaru WRX, but he will be joined by Great Britain representative Robert Swann in a new model Subaru WRX. Adding to this highly competitive group will be the faithful Harold Morley in his Subaru WRX.
Local Competitors
There has been much uncertainty this year with the local entrants, as recent events have seen an unusually low entry level at loose events highlighted by the only rally so far this year with an entry list of 5 cars. However, that event was tarmac and the two loose sprints hosted so far this year has seen a minimum of 14 entrants. However, recent developments, including the collaboration between JMMC (Jamaica Millennium Motoring Club) and Spot Valley Incorporated has seen a renewed interest in loose surface competition. Spot Valley has promised to host another sprint and a rally before Rally Jamaica.
Leading the Jamaican contingent will be defending champion Gary “The Colonel” Gregg with consistent co-driver Hugh Hutchinson in their BD Gregg and Sons/Monster Energy Drink Ford Focus WRC. Gary didn’t fare well in Rally Barbados this year, but has been very consistent in the events entered in Jamaica. The Colonel will be the man to beat this year.
Jeffrey “Fudgie” Panton and co-driver Mike Fennel Jr. will attempt to finish better than second place in their Ford Focus WRC while warding off the overseas competitors. 
The 2008 champion was plagued by transmission problems last year, which contributed to his less than desirable finish. Barring any unforeseen issues, Jeff will also be in the mix for the top spot.
Previous overall winner, Richard “Sir Rich” Rerrie and co-driver Winston Dawson dropped out of the event last year due to mechanical failure. Sir Rich enjoyed a position of third overall before his exit in his JA8 class Subaru WRX STi nicknamed “Trauma”. Sir Rich has entered a few events this year, and Trauma appears to be ready to take on the rest.
Sure entrant and Jamaica’s representative for the JN8 class, Joel “Shifter Kart” Jackson has improved over the year in his Jetcon/Catherine’s Peak Subaru Impreza WRX, and will have his work cut out for him with potent international representatives.
Bobby Marshall/Carlington Brisset have been unbeaten in the last three years in their JA3 Mitsubishi Mirage in a class where Bobby has come out on top despite relatively high attrition rate in this class. However, Bobby has seen more international competition this year, as he is currently points leader in Rally Trinidad for both class and overall.
The next highly competitive class will see defending champion Daryl King with co-driver Rameses McGregor in their JA2 class Toyota starlet ward off highly potent competition. The second fastest 2 wheel drive last year, Daryl has been exceptional in events entered this year and amidst high caliber competition such as Matthew “The Magnet” Gore, also in a Team Mo-bay/S&S Auto sponsored Toyota Starlet and the consistent Andrew Forsythe in his Honda CRX.
The very fast team of Thomas Hall/Andre Gordon in their Xsomo/Mobil 1 sponsored Turbo Toyota Starlet will continue to look for competition the JA4 class while continuing to unseat some of the fastest 2 wheel drive entrants. Finishing early last year due to mechanical failure in St. Ann, Thomas has recouped and ready again to entertain patrons.
Activities
Day 1 – Friday December 3, 2010
The Knutsford Boulevard in New Kingston will be blocked about 5 p.m. for the official opening ceremony to welcome the entrants and their rides. It will be a social atmosphere with emcees and music.
Day 2 – Saturday December 4, 2010
The town of Lydford, St. Ann will awaken to the sounds of anti-lag and the smell of race gas in the morning at about 8 a.m. This will be a full day of racing in St. Ann where alternating stages will be used in the vicinity of Lydford, Moneague and surrounding areas.
Day 3 – Sunday December 5, 2010
The final day of competition. Competitors will be a little closer to Kingston in the Tru Juice Orange groves of Bog Walk, St. Catherine and surrounding areas about 8 a.m., then return to Kingston for the Super Special Sunday evening at the water front in down town Kingston. This closing event will have at the bare minimum, a very entertaining super special stage where all fans can view from where they stand, then an elaborate after party for competitors and fans to mingle, lime and dance up a storm.
Rally Jamaica this year, cannot be missed!
