No way, says Jamaica

Glenroy Sinclair, Assignment Coordinator

While the controversy rages on about the recently concluded Caribbean Motor Racing Championship (CMRC) meet in Barbados, Automotives has learnt that Jamaica has not ruled out the possibility of not taking any further part in the series.

According to reliable sources, Guyana has sided with Barbados in insisting that the controversial race be rerun in the final leg of the championship, to be held in Guyana in October. Jamaica is, however, opposed to this move.

"We are insisting that the results of the second leg, which was run in Barbados, remain unchanged," president of the Jamaica Race Drivers' Club (JRDC), Hilary Jardine, told Automotives on Friday. He also declined to comment on the possibility of Jamaica pulling out from the regional championship.

In favour of standing

The JRDC president further stressed that the majority of the drivers participating in the CRMC championship are in favour of the results standing as they are.

"The clerk stopped the race after it began to get darker and darker, but he did so after about 90 per cent of the race had already been completed. The rules say if 75 per cent of a race has been completed, then it is officially a race," Jardine told Automotives.

Jamaica is in second place behind Barbados for the regional title, while David Summerbell Jr has a commanding lead and looks good to retain the Caribbean driver's title.

"I and others have worked very hard to get this CMRC series going, and I would hate to see it fall apart," said Jardine.

The regional championship began in 1993, stopped for two years but was resumed in 1995. It took a break again and restarted in 1998. But since 2006, regional motorsport organisers have pulled out all the stops to stage the event annually. Summerbell won the title in 2006, 2009, and last year.

"For now, we are focusing on the Heroes Day race meet. We are anticipating another big showdown between Doug Gore and Summerbell," said Jardine.