GORE for SURE

Glenroy Sinclair, Assignment Coordinator

With so many talented drivers on display throughout this season, Matthew Gore never imagined he would be on the brink of capturing this year's Jamaica Millennium Motoring Club's (JMMC) Driver of the Year Title.

The lanky Montegonian, affectionately called 'The Magnet' by his peers, has assumed an unassailable lead in the JMMC National Rally Sport Driver's Championship.

"This year,  Gore gave a good and consistent performance. He did what he had to do. The events were very competitive and close. Though some people started off on a bright note, they were not consistent like Gore. One thing for sure, there were no walk-away winners," the JMMC president, Errol Anderson told Automotives.

A former Belair High student, the Texas-born Gore did a short professional stint with Team48motorsports in the United Kingdom (UK). But a lack of sponsorship denied him the opportunity of taking further part in the British GT series.

While amassing enough points to win the JMMC Driver of the Year title, Gore he has a slim chance of winning arguably the country's most prestigious motoring event of the year, Rally Jamaica 2010, which gets under way December 3-5. He has his sights set on winning the top prize in the Two-Wheel Drive Class, a gesture he hopes will land him a good sponsorship deal.

His main rivals in this class will be Jordan Powell, Daryl King and Maurice Whittingham.

Overseas drivers

The over 150-kilometre long rally, has attracted more 70 competitors, including at least six overseas drivers - two from the UK and others from Barbados and Trinidad. The defending champion is Jamaica's Gary Gregg, who will be driving one of seven World Rally Cars in the event.

I have won most of the events in my class so far this year," said Gore, who said he got hooked to motorsport at age 12 when he began racing go-kart.

He said he gave up all the popular sports such as football, cricket and track and field, after watching his bigger brother, Doug and more so his father, Neil, tackling some tough opponents on the track.

The 31-year-old race driver said he would like to make a name for Jamaica in the Formula One series.

"One thing though, I would love to see some improvement in rally events in Jamaica," said Gore, who is also preparing for Dover and the Caribbean Championship next year.

Former winners of the JMMC Driver of Year title

• 1990: Duncan Stewart
  
• 1991: Rene McDaniel
  
• 1992: Ian Gibson
  
• 1993: Raynor King
  
• 1994: Jeffrey Panton
  
• 1995: Douglas Gore
  
• 1996: Richard Rerrie
  
• 1997: Andrew Forsythe
  
• 1999: Richard Rerrie
  
• 2000: Stratton King
  
• 2001: Richard Rerrie
  
• 2002: John Ralston
  
• 2003: Christopher McFarlane
  
• 2004: Gary Gregg
  
• 2005: Gary Gregg
  
• 2006: Dean Corrodus
  
• 2007: Maurice Whittingham
  
• 2008: Thomas Hall
  
• 2009: Dean Corrodus