JEEP Jamaica and Jamaica Off Road Challenge (JORC) continue in their quest to fill the need for local 4×4-themed events.

Recently the teams joined forces to host Off Road Kooler Party at JJ’s Off-Roading Park in Temple Hall, St Andrew. The event started at midday and ended at 5:00 pm.

“It went well, as we had a good turnout with lots of families,” Craig Powell, event organiser, told the

Jamaica Observer’s Auto magazine. “The feedback has been great, and many of those who turned out were sorry that they didn’t have their vehicles ready to take part.”

Powell also lamented the fact that his plan to have a truck-and-tractor face-off event was thwarted by the lack of pre-registrations leading up to the day of the event.

“We had spent the time preparing the venue to handle the truck-tractor pull. The funny thing was that the people who did show up eventually started informal competitions among themselves,” he said.

He offered the following explanation for the apparent lack of enthusiasm in signing up: “It’s a bit early in the year and a lot of owners don’t have their rigs ready.”

He is optimistically looking down the road for JORC’s more competitive events scheduled for the rest of the year. The next is the Ultimate Adventure Safari, a two-day event that will see 4×4 lovers tackle the May Pen River, then stay overnight in Jackson Bay, Clarendon, in April.

“We have four events left for the remainder of the year, and the big ones will be in July and October. July will be our scavenger hunt and in October, a navigational rally in Bog Walk, St Catherine,” Powell added.

— Rory Daley