2011 - The year behind

• January

12: A letter of commitment of this date to Westmoreland-based Patrick Marzouca secures sales of 32 of his Island Cruisers over 24 months to Turks and Caicos car-rental company Rent A Buggy Limited.

23: It is announced that the Motor Show by the Automobile Dealers Association of Jamaica has been postponed.

• February

20: At the Jamaica Karting Association meet, held at the Palisadoes International Raceway, Kingston, Joshua Sirgany wins three races in the Rotax Mini Max Class. Collin Daley Jr also takes a triple in the Rotax Junior Class. Peter Moodie wins a double in the Rotax Masters Class and Garth Genus has a win in the Rotaz Masters Class.

• March

20: The earthquake and tsunami in Japan (on March 11) has a ripple effect on the used-car market in Jamaica, with delays and shortfalls in shipments.

30: Total launches a new line of fuel and also tells Automotives that it is not interested in taking over the Texaco service stations.

• April

9: Doug 'Hollywood' Gore's new Audi TT-DM race car is unveiled in Montego Bay.

25: David Summerbell Jr wins in his first showdown with Doug Gore in his new Audi, but warns that he will have to upgrade if he is to have a chance in a rematch. "Trust me, he was shockingly fast in the rain," Summerbell said of his rival.

28: The Common External Tariff on motor vehicles is reduced by 50 per cent.

• May

7: Fidelity Motors celebrates its 10th anniversary with an appreciation event at its Hanover Street, Kingston, offices.

• June

The month is declared Road Safety Awareness Month by the Jamaica Gasoline Retailers Association.

2: The 2011 Kia Sorento and Sportage are introduced to the market on Chelsea Avenue, New Kingston.

• July

3: It is announced that Knutsford Express will add Negril to its list of routes in October.

24: The South Coast Express enters the luxury-bus transportation market, with the Negril to Kingston route, including stops in Savanna-la-Mar, Santa Cruz and Mandeville.

• 
  
  August

7: Doug Gore is tops at the Independence of Speed meet at Dover Raceway, St Ann, winning three races and setting a new track record of 1.18.11.

21: Joshua Sirgany and Jonathan Law post wins the Rotax Mini Max Class, Collin Daley Jr takes one Junior Max Class and Thomas Issa another. Mark Minott wins in the Rotax Masters Class, Collin Daley takes the Rotax Junior Class and Carlos Duenas wins in the Rotax Senior Class at the Palisadoes International Raceway in Kingston.

• September

4: The Jamaica Urban Transit Company announces that it will be revamping its ticketing system by month-end.

• October

9: The Heelz and Wheelz automotive show, subtitled 'Modified Meets Cruisers' is held at the UDC parking lot, New Kingston.

17: Kyle Gregg becomes Jamaica's youngest circuit-racing driving champion, after a Heroes Day meet at the Dover Raceway. There is an accident involving David Summerbell Jr and a 10-year-old is hit in another incident.

• November:

6: Automotives reports that a number of cars from Thailand, especially the Toyota Corolla Altis, are older than dealers said they were, creating a disparity between the purchase price and actual value.

22: Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce Dr Christopher Tufton announces that, starting December 1, the age limit on passenger cars allowed into the country will be increased to five years, while light commercial vehicles will move to six years.

26: The Wealth Auto Show debuts at the National Arena, St Andrew.

• December

John Powell and Nicholas Telfer win the Rally Jamaica 2011 title, driving a Subaru.

29: The Road Safety Unit encourages all to maintain safe road practices, although there are 301 road fatalities to date, still less than the 319 in 2010.