GARY ‘The Colonel’ Gregg is armed and ready to defend his Rally Jamaica 2010 Championship title, as he puts his Ford Focus WRC to work through the various stages of this year’s Rally Jamaica.

Gregg is among approximately 30 drivers who will race the stages in a bid to amass maximum points for the 2011 Championship.

Staunch contenders for the title in the JA9 class are John Powell, a Jamaican representing Trinidad, in a Subaru Impreza S14 WRC and Barbadian Sean Gill, driving a 2003 Suziki SX4 WRC. Sean Gill placed second in the 2010 Championships and Gregg is pulling out all the stops to ensure he takes home the winning trophy once again.

“We have been to the stages and done our checks. The car is 100 per cent ready and we are getting ready right now to defend our 2010 rally title. John Powell, Sean Gill and Jeffrey Panton are the main competition, but we are prepared,” said Gregg, who races with co-driver Hugh Hutchinson.

Six-time former champion, Jeffrey Panton, who normally races a Ford Focus WRC in the top JA9 class, will be competing in the lower JN8 class, due to a change in race car. Panton sold the outdated Ford Focus and will now be sporting a sponsored 2010 Mitsubishi Evolution 10.

“We are sponsored in the Evolution 10; the Ford Focus WRC was outdated compared to the newer WRC cars that are racing in the JA9 class, it’s like 7 years behind in technology. I don’t foresee any problems racing in this JN8 class, but we are really just trying to see what is the best overall position we can get,” said Jeffrey Panton, who will be driving with co-driver Michael Fennell Jr.

The longer and more challenging course has been test driven and a stamp of approval given by Rally Jamaica Chairman, Errol Anderson.

“We have provided longer, better prepared stages that will test the crew and equipment as never before. This will provide spectators with a higher level of excitement than ever, enjoy and be safe,” said Anderson.

Other competitors who spectators can look forward to seeing are 2004 Champion Richard “Sir Rich” Reerie, driving his 2002 Subaru Impreza WRX in the JA8 class; Thomas Hall, Christopher “Teach” MacFarlane, Bobby Marshall, Alan Chen and 2010 Dover Champion, Kyle Gregg. Drivers from the Caribbean will also be participating in Rally Jamaica with countries like Barbados, Trinidad, Scotland, and Ireland being represented.

This year’s rally will differ slightly with the Rally Lyme, being hosted by Trade Wind Citrus, manufacturers of Tru-Juice, in the new and exciting viewing area. While spectators watch the race with anticipation, they will be feted to the musical prowess of ZJ Elektra, appearances by Chino and the Big Ship family, amidst the entertaining Pretty Boy Floyd.

This new environment gives spectators a great area to watch the races, while relaxing in style. “This year’s VIP area is near the Tru-Juice Sports Club. The new course allows visitors to have a 360-degree view of the race. There is also a chill out area for the general public near the river for persons who want to relax between the stages” said Kim Lee, head of marketing for Trade Wind Citrus Limited, in a statement.

Rally Jamaica kicks off with the showcasing of the race cars at the ceremonial opening on Knutsford Boulevard in New Kingston today, with the first stage starting at 8:00 am at the Petcom service station in Angels on Saturday, December 3.

Saturday’s event will see the Bybrook and New Works stages in Bog Walk, while Sunday’s races will begin at Tank-Weld Service Yard on Michelton Main Road in Bog Walk and will continue on to Bybrook and Wakefield, Bernard Lodge in Portmore and then on the super special festival of speed stage in downtown, Kingston.

— Kesi Asher