Jamaica’s prominence in international motorsports was boosted significantly as Jamaica Millennium Motoring Club (JMMC) achieved a landmark feat when it attended the extraordinary general assembly (EGA) of the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), which took place in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, and ran from June 10 to 13.

The JMMC, who governs Jamaican motorsports, is the local representative of the FIA, which is the world motorsports governing body.

The Jamaican delegation included Stephen Gunter, chairman, JMMC, and Christopher Elliott, who was recently appointed by the FIA to its Drag Racing Commission.

“Attendance at the FIA EGA was important. Jamaica and the JMMC were very well received at the EGA. For example, during a meeting of the North & South American Sports Clubs, a matter raised by the JMMC related to regional drag racing resulted in drag racing being added to the agenda for the FIA American Congress next month in Lima, Peru. Jamaica is now expected to make a presentation at that Congress,” Gunter said.

Importantly, for the first time, the JMMC cast its votes during the EGA, including the electing of officers within the FIA, and FIA statutory amendments,” Gunter told the
Jamaica Observer’s weekly Auto magazine.

He explained that in December of 2023 the JMMC was ratified as a full member of the FIA, granting the local entity full voting rights.

The EGA is held to discuss matters that cannot wait for the annual general meeting. In Uzbekistan the focus was on international motorsport, sustainable mobility, environmental protection, and inclusivity in motorsport. It also served as an important platform for sharing advanced ideas and practices.

For Jamaica, the significance of attending went beyond exercising its voting rights. The JMMC was able to network with the other federations and share its own targets and concerns, especially with those in its region.

The event also celebrated the 120th anniversary of the FIA.

The JMMC is scheduled to further represent Jamaican motorsports interests at the FIA General Assembly and Prize Giving in Kigali, Rwanda, in December.