Three-peat for Powell

BY JARMILA JACKSON Observer writer

Friday, February 10, 2012

MONTEGONIAN Jordan Powell walked away with an incredible hat-trick of wins at the second Jamaica Millennium Motoring Club (JMMC) sprint event at Badda Badda Raceway in Richmond, Priory, St Ann on Sunday.

The event saw 15 national championship contenders from across the length and breath of Jamaica island battling out on a partly muddy track for top honours.

With scores of cheering fans on hand, Powell — driving the R & B Auto Parts-sponsored Toyota Corolla FX — posted the fastest time in the JA2 class, the fastest two-wheel drive time of the day, and the fastest overall time at 1.59.88.

"It wasn't my first time winning but today was a little better because we had more spectators here to witness it. My sponsor was also here and saw the performance of the car," an elated Powell told Auto.

"We definitely have a nice lead in the driver's championship now and we're very happy with that. These days to win, you have to keep your foot flat on the gas pedal. There's no way to take it easy, no time to think about the brakes as much as you used to, you just have to drive and hope for the best. That's what I'll be doing for the rest of the year and hopefully by the end of 2012 we'll have the Rallysport Championship," the 27-year-old continued.

Each competitor was given three timed runs and the fastest 10 were selected for the two-lap championship run.

Only a fraction of a second separated Powell from contender and rival Daryl King (in his Thrifty Gas-sponsored Honda Civic) who posted a time of 2.00.45.

Both Powell and King had spectators divided into 'Team Honda' and 'Team Toyota' for the third and final run.

With DJ Blaxx of sound system Killa Milla providing the entertainment for the event, the thrilling final lap featured tyre screeching, dust-filled runs and spectacular turns on the track.

Once Powell was declared winner, his supporters rushed towards the centre of the track where he was to celebrate.

Another crowd favourite Maurice Whittingham took the third place title in the Carz Rehab-sponsored Toyota Corolla Levin with a time of 2.08.14.

In the JA3 class, JMMC chairman and meet organiser Dean Corrodus again topped the division driving the Automotive Performance Centre Ltd/Maxxis Tyres/ATL Automotive Racing Honda Civic Type R ahead of gentleman racer Keith Saunders in his faithful Chevrolet Chevette. Ricardo Scott was third in class. Thomas Hall, the sole entrant in the JA4 class, failed to finish a single run at the event due to a drive-line component failure.

The JN8 class was won by Peter Jaggan driving the IGL Gases-sponsored Subaru Impreza WRX, who had another close battle with Dave Lee of Spot Valley Raceway fame.

Richard Chan of Team Challenger Racing driving his Excel Electronic Security-sponsored Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IV got the better of Junior Barnes in the Bay Wata Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX in the top flight JA8 class.

In the three-lap championship run for the top 10 fastest cars, Dave Lee won with a time of 2.56.17, with Powell 2nd in 2.59.01 and Richard Chan just a whisker away in third in 2.59.69.

During the breaks between sprints, spectators were treated to exciting dirt and quad bike action. Racers from Irie Racing and 4 Real Offroading matched engines while kicking up some mud during the process.

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Three-peat for Powell