Hutchinson, Gregg in high spirits

Glenroy Sinclair, Assignment Coordinator

With six World Rally Cars now confirmed for the country's premier motoring event, Rally Jamaica 2010, which starts tomorrow in the old bauxite town of Lydford, St Ann, defending champions, Jamaica's Gary Gregg and his co-driver, Hugh Hutchinson, are in high spirits and confident that they will deliver the goods again.

"The car (WRC) is ready and we are hoping to win again," Gregg told The Gleaner in a recent interview.

They were among 23 competitors who registered at Wednesday night's drivers' meeting, held at the Knutsford Court Hotel, for the two-day event. Apart from the readiness of his car, Gregg has one of the most experienced co-drivers in Hutchinson, who is based in the United States.

Not an easy task

Their chances of winning the Petcom/JMMC-sponsored event for the fifth time in seven years will not be an easy task this year.

"This is motor racing and anything can happen, any one of the WRC cars can win this event," commented Errol Anderson, president of the JMMC, who said he expected some last-minute entries.

The 2008 champion, Jeffrey Panton, and co-driver Mike Fennell Jr, who finished second in the event last year, said despite the competitive looking line-up on paper, they were optimistic of taking the title this year.

Both Gregg and Panton will be seriously challenged by the overseas entrants Sean Gill, Roger Skeete, Dean Serrao, John Powell and James Betts.

"One of the first competitors I observed making pace notes on the designated route Wednesday morning was Sean Gill. He turned up right on time at the stages. This shows how serious he is," says Anderson.

A close battle is expected in the res-pective classes. The JMMC driver of the year, Matthew Gore, with his Ocean Spray Wata/Cran Wata/ Spanish Court Hotel-sponsored Mitsubishi Evolution, is expected to take the top award in the JA2 Class.

Meanwhile, his brother Doug Gore is expected to be among the top finishers in the JA8 Class. Bobby Marshall looks good to take the JA3 Class.

Day one of the event begins this afternoon at Knustford Boulevard, New Kingston, which will be blocked off at about 5 p.m. for the official opening ceremony to welcome the entrants and their rides.

The event continues tomorrow, in Lydford, which will provide some excitement for the residents of the adjoining communities of Moneague and surrounding areas. On Sunday, the final day of competition will take the competitors from Bog Walk, St Catherine, and then to the waterfront in downtown Kingston.