Two of Jamaica’s international driving talents put on a show for the rally fans in attendance at the Macklin Peterkin Memorial Rally, Sunday, June 22, through the orange groves of Bog Walk, St Catherine.

Fraser McConnell and Tommi Gore were the two who joined the several rally crews tackling the event as the Drivers Rallysport Club (DRC) attempts to revive the genre of motorsports and prepare to bring back their iconic end-of-year Rally Jamaica.

“The event was good. The competitor turnout was realistic, given the current atmosphere. We are all aware the sport has been on a decline, so the aim is to rebuild, and we have to start somewhere, even if that means only eight competitors for this event,” Marcia Dawes, president, DRC, told the Jamaica Observer’s weekly Auto magazine.

Dawes added that the road to rally recovery has been a mixed bag, but the feedback from spectators and competitors alike was positive.

“The day itself went pretty well; the stage preparation was very good and the changes made to the route from the usual layout made for a better spectator experience. And the competitors also enjoyed the fast-flowing nature of the stage set-up. There was a decent spectator turnout, and the feedback received was positive. As for bringing the event to fruition, some things were easy, some were unnecessarily challenging, but it is a work-in-progress,” she explained.

The gravel eight stages provided excellent viewing of the action that included late-afternoon rain, altering the surface conditions for even more intrigue to the end.

International Rallycross star McConnell and seasoned co-driver Justin Morin were the first to finish.

“It was a very fun day. The car held up really well. Amsoil, Proven, Just Bet, Tru-Shake, and Jamaica Tourist Board, all these sponsors coming on board to make this all possible,” said McConnell, who has thrown his weight behind the efforts to restart rallysport, especially given that is last locally held rally was Rally Jamaica 2018. He has been making time between his international events to partake in DRC events, coming in from Finland the week before the rally and heading off for Sweden soon.

Gore is enjoying his second season in the ADAC GT4 Germany series driving for W&S Motorsport. His rally story is a bit more recent, but more transformative. After competing in the two-wheel drive class in 2022, he’s finally transitioned to the faster four-wheel drive class. He finished second to McConnell, with co-driver Marcel Brandon.

“We’ve decided to come back to rally, given that the sport is getting some traction. We want to help with it and bring it back to the levels that it used to be, or as close as possible,” said Gore.

Like McConnell, he found the time between races in Germany to put together a rally car to complete in the event.

Both men praised the DRC for their efforts and the quality of the event.

Completing the podium positions was the team of Raynor King and Rameses McGregor, making sure to share the spotlight with his contemporaries. Of the eight, rallying always has attrition, and Jason King and Bobby Marshall were the remaining drivers to make it to the end in fourth and fifth, respectively.

“Next DRC event will be on October 12, Rally of the Kings,” said Dawes.