Move on to level rally field

Glenroy Sinclair, Assignment Coordinator

If the Peter Clarke-led Jamaica Millennium Motoring Club (JMMC) administration has its way, significant changes will be effected next year to improve rallying in Jamaica.

"One of the things we will be looking at is the impact the World Rally Championship (WRC) cars have had and the discouragement of other competitors," said Clarke.

The club is currently in consultation with drivers to address weaknesses in the sport, which has been described as "dying a slow death" by winner of last week's Rally Jamaica 2012, Jeffrey Panton. His co-driver was Mike Fennel Jr.

"We are planning to build back the sport from the roots, focussing on the JN classes," the JMMC president said.

In response to comments made by Panton that "if it means to get rid of the WRC cars, do it, but we need to do something now", Clarke stressed that Gary Gregg has already sold his WRC car and the one Panton has will be up for sale soon. "We are not saying that you cannot enter a WRC car, but things will be different next year," argued Clarke.

Though he won in convincing style, Panton was not very happy. "The rally was boring. This is not the sort of win we wanted. When Powell (John) and Gill (Sean) dropped out, the competitiveness was gone," said Panton, who was winning the rally for the seventh time. Previously, Panton won in 1994, 1995, 1999, 2000, 2002 and 2008.

On day one defending champion John Powell, who was also driving a WRC car, assumed the lead, but crashed out of the event before the day ended. Another favourite, Sean Gill of Barbados who drove a WRC car, also crashed out.

panton in the lead

Panton, who had the only other WRC car left in the event, then went in front and by Sunday morning was leading the pack by a comfortable four minutes. He covered the 20-stage rally in 1 hour and 28 minutes, 07.008 seconds to also take the top honours in the JA9 Class.

James Betts and Jason Costello, in a Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution 5, finished in one hour 32 minutes and 39 secs to cop the JA8 class and second overall.

Joel Jackson and Robert Thelwell, in their Subaru Imprezza, copped the JN8 class in one hr 37 minutes and 30 seconds and placed third overall.

The die-hard rally fans, accustomed to seeing the cars swinging around sharp corners and navigating their way through the small, winding, dusty lanes in the orange fields of St Catherine, had little to cheer for this year.

Still, fascinated by the colourful array of cars, persons gathered along the designated route to watch the action.