AUTO show Crews Control returned with a bang for its latest staging at Shazz Ground in Richmond, St Ann, on Saturday, August 27, after a two-year hiatus due to the novel coronavirus pandemic.

Event organiser Kedron Kennedy was pleased with its staging.

“Crews Control 2022 was a massive success for us. It’s our best show to date, and everything we set out to do was accomplished,” Kennedy told the Jamaica Observer‘s weekly Auto magazine.

With the last show held in August 2019, it appeared the north coast car owners and lovers were ready to gather en masse to celebrate their common interests. In typical Jamaican fashion, late was best, and despite an early morning start time, it wasn’t until deep into the evening when everything kicked off. Those crews that did arrive early enough got prime spots to set up their displays for the judging. As the night went on, patrons and car crews continued to fill the sizeable venue.

“One of the most significant challenges for us was the weather conditions leading up to the event, this prevented some car owners from completing their cars in time. Otherwise, there were not many other issues. The event was on schedule and ended on time,” said Kennedy.

The weather concerns proved unwarranted as the cool North Coast night air matched perfectly with the cloudless sky. Not that anyone had any reason to look up since there was plenty to see amongst while the event activities moved at a steady enough pace under the control of hosts Jodianne Murdock and Samantha Wilmot to avoid any boredom.

At the end of the night, Marlondo Brando with his 2012 Honda Stream took home the top prize of Best of Show.

“I feel very good about winning Best of Show at Crews Control 2022, one of the biggest car shows in Jamaica. I really appreciate it. I feel great. It really makes me appreciate the input and passion I put in my car,” Brando said.

The Honda Stream caught the judges’ eyes with its extensive list of modifications, from the wild body kit, to all the interior touches including five TV screens, to the extensive lighting package. Brando got the car in stock form four years ago with no real intention of modifying it. However, his drive to be different and the relative lack of after-market support for what is essentially a family wagon sent him down the custom route.

“While they were judging my car they told me — this car is way up, high up there. When the judge said that I felt good because I know it wasn’t the height of the car he was talking,” he said.

Brando accolades from Crews Control 2022 continued as he also received won Best Custom and Best Crew as part of StreetXtream, which was officially formed in June 2019.

“StreetXtream was eventually formed because of our constant visits to car meets and car shows. It was almost impossible to not form a team based off our common interests at heart which is the love for cars as young driven enthusiasts who had the same level of consistency in seeking new parts and body kits for our cars to be extremely outstanding so it only make sense to become a family and roll in the streets as a unit,” explained Brando

StreetXtream currently has over 60 cars centred around Kingston and St Andrew and surrounding parishes.

For Kennedy, the positive feedback sees him planning the 2023 event already.

“The general feedback from patrons and competitors is that they enjoyed the production and decor of Crews Control 2022. Some even said it was the best car show they’ve ever attended in Jamaica, stating that the organisation was on point. We have already started planning for the next staging of the 876 Streets & Massive Auto Parts Crews Control Auto Show and what I can tell you is that it will definitely be better than our 2022 staging,” added Kennedy.