Saturday, November 18, saw an exciting close to the 2023 season of dexterity series Asphalt Assault, dubbed The Final Assault, at the Palisadoes International Raceway, Kingston.

“We give God thanks, we’re thankful. It has been an absolutely amazing season. Thanks to the competitors, thanks to amazing sponsors that make all of this possible, and even with the challenges we still persevered, we still held together, and put together an amazing season,” Christopher James of organisers Team Streetz, told the Jamaica Observer‘s weekly Auto magazine.

James added that he and his team are looking forward to 2024, where they will introduce a new event type, Sprinterity — a combination of a rallysprint and a dexterity.

“Next year we plan to have an event where we combine both a sprint and a dexterity. So we’ll have a full sprint with race cars, along with a dexterity. The sprint cars will run the dexterity course and an extended sprint course. The dexterity cars will just run the dexterity section of the same course. Everyone will be on the same platform, same showcase, making it two-for-one, and best of both worlds,” James said.

The winner for the night was Montegonian newcomer Jhaun Bryan, in his daily driven 2012 Subaru BRZ.

“I’ve been coming to Asphalt Assault for the entire year. I’ve seen the different competitors every time I’m here and knew that I’ve had to step up a little bit more every time. Tonight was no different. I already came with a plan with all the rain that happened yesterday. I decided I’m not letting this one pass me and I’m glad I did,” said Bryan.

The young drifter began in May 2022, having participated in the Red Bull Car Park Street Drift and Slippery Wen Wett. He explained that there are some differences between current drifting and dexterities, but applies his knowledge from drifting to the more timed and precision sport that is dexterity.

“I have no modifications power-wise. I definitely done coil overs and tweaked things in terms of the tyres, but it’s still a stock car, naturally aspirated car,” said Bryan.

He may have won the finale, but it was dexterity regular Rajendra Jadusingh who claimed the title of series champion, despite being plagued by mechanical issues all night. His fifth place finish in his MINI One was enough to secure the points necessary for series victory.

“The right rear calliper is seized, so when you pull the handbrake and let down the lever the calliper remains closed, so it’s locking up the right rear wheel. And when you press the foot brake you end up with only three wheels braking. It was difficult to drive, so I had to adapt my driving style every run, and I got faster each time,” explained Jadusingh.

Jadusingh praised the event and its organisers, only wishing that more drivers, beginners and professional, would take part, increasing the level of competition and fun.