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Jamaican-born Powell steers home team in Rally Jamaica 2011

Published:Monday | December 5, 2011 | 12:00 AM
Barbados' Sean Gill and co-driver Michael Cummins negotiate the terrains in Bernard Lodge, St Catherine, on Sunday. They were the first to arrive at that stage during the final day of Rally Jamaica 2011. - norman Grindley/chief photographer

Glenroy Sinclair, Assignment Coordinator

A Jamaican national, competing under the flag of Trinidad and Tobago, was last night named the provisional winner of Rally Jamaica 2011, which concluded in downtown Kingston yesterday afternoon.

The Jamaican-born John Powell and co-driver Nicholas Telfer, driving a World Rally Car (WRC), Subaru Impreza S14, reputed to be the only one of its kind the region, saved the best for last.

After finishing in second place on Saturday (day one), they assumed the lead yesterday from the Barbadian pair of Sean Gill/Michael Cummins, who were driving a WRC 2003 Suzuki SX4.

Both were chased all the time by the defending champions, Jamaica's Gary Gregg and Hugh Hutchinson, who suffered a major electrical problem and had to settle for third.

"We had a troubled-free rally," a smiling Powell told The Gleaner yesterday afternoon prior to completing the final stage in downtown Kingston.

Winning strategies

After listening to a number of well-wishers, Powell, who has been living in Trinidad for the past 11 years, stressed that after taking advice from several persons, he came up with several strategies to enhance his chances of winning.

"We decided to be very careful on day one and watch the front- runners, then make our move today," said Powell.

Prior to completing the final stage, Barbados' Sean Gill had not given up.

"The rally is not over yet, we are about five seconds behind and anything can happen," the Bajan said.

The three-day Petcom/JMMC Rally got under way on Friday afternoon with a parade of all the cars on Knutsford Boulevard, New Kingston. On day two, the event started at the Petcom service station in Angels, Spanish Town, St Catherine.

Yesterday, it restarted in Bog Walk and covered areas such as Wakefield and Bernard Lodge before roaring into downtown Kingston for the climax.

Provisional results for the top four:

1. John Powell/Nicholas Telfer - Trinidad and Tobago

2. Sean Gill/Michael Cummins - Barbados

3. Gary Gregg/Hugh Hutchinson - Jamaica

4. Jeffrey Panton/Mike Fennell Jr - Jamaica