The off-road community came out in strong numbers for the recent staging of Ultimate Adventure Safari, the second event of 2016 for Jamaica Off-Road Challenge (JORC).

“It went very well as we had even more vehicles than anticipated,” Craig Powell, event organiser, told Auto.

In all, 42 vehicles made the lengthy trip from Manor Park, through the back roads of Norbrook, St Andrew, into the coffee trails leading to Holywell, and then eventually down into the parish of St Thomas at the Yallahs River. At the end, the convoy had covered approximately 76 miles and crossed over the Blue and John Crow mountains at a maximum altitude of just under 4,000-feet on a route that tested the endurance of both man and machine.

According to Powell, this was the larger event for the year since the first event in March only had 14 participants. However, he put that down to the nature of the trip.

“Our trek to May Pen was an overnighter, where we camped out for the night,” he said.

On the recent trek, Powell said there were 16 rigs, purposed built off-road machines, which was two more than in March. The rest of the convoy was made up of daily driven vehicles of all sizes and brands, something he found encouraging.

“Even though we’re trying to get the dedicated off-roaders out too, it was great to see families in their SUVs and pickups out there with us,” he added.

At the final destination, it was the usual riverside fun with food and swimming in the cool river. The next Ultimate Adventure is scheduled for December, but JORC is looking forward at its Off-Road Challenge competition scheduled for November.

“We’re doing something new for 2016,” Powell explained.

For November, there will be a new purpose-built course in Temple Hall, St Andrew, while the navigational portion of the competition will be held in the Tru-Juice orchards in Bog Walk, St Catherine.

— Rory Daley