DESPITE the rain, fearless stunt bikers, drifters, daredevils, and thrill-seekers came out for the 2012 instalment of ‘Stunt Wars’ at Badda Badda Raceway in Richmond, Priory, on Sunday.

The stunt bike competition promised thrilling two- and four-wheeled entertainment and bikers from Rush Riders, Crazy Bikerz, Wes Bes, and Untouchables crews all delivered with a view to claim the trophy and the cash prize.

However, it was Damion ‘Dunga’ Hughes from Rush Riders in Montego Bay, St James, who was crowned the Stunt Rider Champion for 2012. Charles ‘Oney’ Reid, of the same crew, captured the title of MVP.

“It feels good to win. But to be honest, it came as no surprise to me; I knew I was going to win,” Hughes told Auto.

“I’ve been riding for seven years and stunting for about five, so I’m comfortable doing the stunts. I’m just having some fun,” he continued.

Competitors were judged based on technique and style in the five categories of Best Freestyle, Best Endo (stoppies), Best Tandem (two persons on a bike), Sickest Trick, and Best Burnout.

Special guest, stunt rider Dustin ‘Secret Weapon’ Duprey from Florida, United States, kept the crowd cheering with some impressive burnouts, wheelies and, at one point, riding the motorcycle while sitting backwards.

In-between intermittent showers, spectators watched in amazement as ‘stunters’ did everything from ‘the high chair’ — a stunt requiring the rider to keep the bike in motion while sitting on the handlebars — to doing headstands on the moving motorcycle.

While a bit disappointed by the weather, event organiser Halquin ‘Pugu’ Rodney is focused on making plans to improve the next instalment.

“We’ve been doing ‘Stunt Wars’ as a show for about five years now, but this is the first time we’ve decided to do it as a competition,” Rodney told Auto.

“I really wanted to do something different since most stunt shows you go to are just the same. We invited one international rider this year and the crowd loved him. Next year, we’re going to be bringing in more, so people will have that to look forward to,” he continued.

Drifters Richard ‘Sir Rich’ Rerrie, in his Subaru Impreza, and Cleve ‘Cutta Hype’ Ottey, driving his Toyota Starlet, made special appearances to entertain the crowd in-between breaks throughout the competition.

The two did not let the rain hinder them from putting on a great show. Once the sun set, the rain had stopped and the prizes were given the spectators danced the night away to music by DJs Johnny Kool and Timeless at the event after party.