THE Caribbean’s second largest rally, Seaboard Marine Rally Jamaica, kicks off this evening in New Kingston at 6:00 pm. The three-day fight is scheduled to end in the orange groves of Bog Walk in St Catherine on Sunday evening.

Leading the pack is defending champion Jeffrey Panton in his Ford Focus World Rally Car (WRC).

“I think my chances are very good to repeat as winner this year, as they’re only two other world rally cars competing,” Panton told Auto.

Threatening Panton’s lien on the trophy is 2011 Rally Jamaica winner John Powell in his current generation Ford Fiesta WRC.

“John hasn’t had a lot of seat time in the car, but it should be interesting to see the difference in stage times between us,” Panton said.

Making sure it’s a fair fight, the Focus has been ‘refreshed’ by builders — the UK-based M-Sport.

Rally Jamaica has not been a happy hunting ground for overseas teams and that’s reflected in the local competitors’ attitude. World Rally Championship driver, Mexican Ricardo Trivino, who races as part of the North American Central American (NACAM) series will also be competing.

Multiple Rally Jamaica winner Gregg is making his return to local rallying in a Group N Lancer Evolution IX.

“My main rival is Gary Gregg,” said Joel Jackson.

Jackson finished third overall last year and led Group N. This year he is already put a round of the Jamaican National Rally Championship in his win column and is hoping to repeat a similar feat for 2013.

“I’ve got new suspension, gearbox, upgraded the handbrake, and added some extra underbody protection,” Jackson said.

He is also embroiled in the fight for the RallySport Driver’s Championship with Matthew Gore, Daryl King, and Dave Lee. Jackson sits on 430 points.

“I’m surprised to be tied with Daryl because it hasn’t been a good year for us. But the opportunity to win the RallySport title for a third time means I just need to finish,” said Gore.

Gore and King are tied on 550 points and Lee has 480 points. For the first two, their JA2 class only has 130 points on offer for the event, while Lee and Jackson could leapfrog them with 150 points available in their JN8 class.

Rally Jamaica places second in size to Rally Barbados.

— Rory Daley