Suzuki eyes rally prize

When the dust settles on Sunday, Suzuki driver Sean Gill says he will emerge tops in the gruelling Jamaica Rally 2010.

The competition begins tomorrow in Lydford, St Ann, at 8 a.m. The final day of competition will see racers travelling through the Tru-Juice Orange groves of Bog Walk, St Catherine, and surrounding areas at 8 a.m., then return to Kingston for the Super Special Sunday evening at the waterfront in down-town Kingston. However, an opening ceremony followed by a meet-and-greet social is expected on Knutsford Boulevard in New Kingston at 6 p.m.

Gill, a multiple champion with numerous class wins, said his confidence was etched in the new and improved SX4 World Rally Car.

"It's a fantastic machine. And it has lived up to my expectations," said Gill, who was speaking at the car's launch hosted by dealers Stewart's Auto Sales at the Knutsford Court Hotel in New Kingston yesterday. "The technology is unbelievable and we're looking forward to the event," he continued.

Simon Willis, engineer at ITC, Suzuki importers for the Caribbean, said a lot of time was spent re-designing the car for the region.

The Suzuki SX4 is powered by a 2.0-litre, four-cylinder turbo-charged engine based on the Suzuki J20 SX4 delivering 300 hp and over 500 Nm of torque. The SX4 has a sequential gearbox with paddle shift and externally mounted clutch with the power being transferred to the road via permanent four-wheel drive with an active centre differential.

Stopping power is provided by Brembo Brakes and the SX4 uses BOS dampers, with rebound control system (different tarmac and gravel).

"We did some modifications to the engine ... applying turbo being the most notable. The suspensions, all new sub-frame base, is very quick to change and very adjustable," Willis said.

Gill, who finished fifth overall in Rally Barbados, will have his regular co-driver Michael 'Zippy' Cummins with him.

- Brian Bonitto