MEXICAN rally driver Miguel Medina left Rally Jamaica 2015 on a high last weekend. The 19-year-old secured enough points to hand him the Fiesta Cup championship as well as fourth place in the North American Central America (NACAM) Rally Championship.

“It’s been a fantastic event. The downtown stage was amazing I’ve never seen that size crowd at any rallies I’ve been in at home,” he told Auto.

He wins a prize package that will see him compete in four European rallies for the 2016 season. This was his first year in the series, after beginning his rally career three years ago. He claims the secret to his victory was all the support he got in Mexico.

“A lot of people gave me good advice on my driving style and car setup,” he said.

Medina was one of three drivers that made the trip to Jamaica with their R2 specification Ford Fiesta rally cars. These 1.6-litre naturally aspirated cars are designed as cost effective entry-level machines to allow young talent into the sport. There was nothing entry level about his driving, as he and his R2 compatriots were cheered along by the local fans enjoying their maximum attack mode on the stages.

“You have to be smooth driving the Fiesta. They are small, light and responsive, but you can’t be sliding around,” he explained.

All the cars are identical, however there is scope to tailor the car to the driver’s needs. He said his speed was helped by the excellent preparations of the Rally Jamaica organisers.

“I was very surprised when I got here. The stages were in perfect condition and I could push the car to its limits,” he said.

Despite being off to Europe for 2016, Medina would love to come back to contest another Rally Jamaica.

“I love the people. I’d like to return without the pressure of the championship so I could enjoy the event.”

Rally Jamaica organiser Larry Henriques was happy that such a noted series was decided on Jamaican shores in his event, more so he believes that having the Fiestas around has opened the eyes of many local competitors to what is proper and possible.

— Rory Daley