Jamaican rallysport fans were treated to a dominant display by international rallycross star Fraser McConnell at the Drivers RallySport Club (DRC) + Montego Bay Racing Association (MRA) Sprint 1 at Spot Valley Raceway, Montego Bay, on Sunday, April 21.

“I knew that I was going to be here for the event, so I made some calls to see what cars were available and Lee Vaz took the opportunity to let me drive his car to showcase its potential as he is trying to sell it. So, it was a win-win for the both of us,” McConnell told the
Jamaica Observer’s weekly Auto magazine.

He spent the day battling hard with the other Subarus of Demar Lee, Brandon King, and the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution 8 of Raynor King. He was just over a second faster than Lee to post the fastest time of the day on the Spot Valley course. The 2:53.316 time garnered McConnell the fastest time overall for the day as well as the JN8 class win. King would be third.

With that speed McConnell headed into the Championship Run as a favourite and didn’t disappoint — this time seven seconds faster than the nearest competitor, Brandon King.

“I really had a lot of fun on Sunday. It was a long time since I had been in a full spec rally car and so my first time at the Spot Valley venue which was also a great experience,” said McConnell.

Raynor King would complete the Championship Run podium. Maurice Whittingham was the fastest JA2 driver, fastest two-wheel drive car, and finished fourth in the Championship Run. He was followed by Bobby Marshall, fifth in the Championship Run, and first in his class, JA3. Spencer Whittingham was the lone JA4 competitor as was Brandon King the only JA8 driver.

“The sprint from our end was a success. Even though we wanted more entries, our goal is to be consistent with execution, showing the drivers we are here for the sport,” said Mark-Anthony March of the MRA.

March added that he and his partners in the MRA opted to join forces with the DRC as to not overwhelm the motor sports calendar.

“We had a packed calendar and didn’t want to have the drivers feeling overwhelmed, or worst feeling like they had to choose between events, so we partnered where we had close events on the calendar,” he said.

Going forward they are trying to arrange a tarmac sprint on their side of the island.