All set for Petcom Rally

Glenroy Sinclair, Assignment Coordinator

Knutsford Boulevard in New Kingston is expected to buzz with excitement this evening as motorsport fans are expected to turn out in droves to get close-up looks at the top-class, well-prepared cars that will be contesting the Petcom Rally Jamaica 2011 event.

Dubbed the Jamaica Millennium Motoring Club's signature event, this year the organisers will be celebrating the 20th anniversary of Rally Jamaica, which hits the road early tomorrow morning, starting in Spanish Town, St Catherine.

All the competing cars are expected to be on Knutsford Boulevard in the vicinity of the Victoria Mutual Building Society from 6-9 p.m.

"It's an opportunity for the fans to greet and meet the drivers, take photos and get a close-up look at the cars," said Tracey Hamilton, who assisted with the planning of the two-day event.

Notable reduction

Although more drivers have been confirmed for this year's event, there is a notable reduction in overseas entrants. Of the 29 participants, six are foreigners. There are two teams each from Trinidad and Barbados, while the others are from Scotland and Ireland.

"It is going to be very interesting, because Gary Gregg is looking good, likewise Barbados' Sean Gill/Michael Cummins, and Trinidad's John Powell/Nicholas Telfer. But the man who could upset the apple cart is Jeffrey Panton," said Errol Anderson, chairman of Rally Jamaica 2011.

Anderson and other representatives from title sponsor Petcom and the Kingston and St. Andrew Corporation will address the gathering tonight.

Based on the line-up, Gary Gregg and Hugh Hutchinson will be the ones to ensure that the trophy remains in Jamaica. Other Jamaicans in with good chances are Leslie Madden/Sean Williams, and Richard Rerrie/Winston Dawes.

"The car is good and we will giving our best," Gregg told The Gleaner yesterday.