The Montego Bay Racing Association (MRA) held its prize-giving on Saturday, February 28, at the Toyota Jamaica showroom in the second city.

“The purpose of the prize-giving was one of two things. First of all, to have the drivers know we appreciate them, by setting up a formal event where they can come and sit down, eat some food, drink some rum, and mingle with their friends and fans while giving them quality trophies,” Mark-Anthony March, of the MRA, told the Jamaica Observer’s weekly Auto magazine.

Along with the awards to the drivers, the MRA handed out appreciative tokens to their sponsors and partners.

March hailed the the prize-giving event as a success as there was a good turnout of competitors, their families, friends, and MRA sponsors and partners. He noted that Dover regular Alan Chen was able to receive a trophy in front of his children for the first time ever.

Trophies and awards were presented to the various overall and class winners from the MRA’s 2025 season of sprint events.

“It was a really good event for the MRA,” said March.

The opportunity was used to present the MRA’s 2026 plans, starting with the news that an MRA championship — that is, the crowning of a single overall competitor — is to be initiated.

The MRA also plans to expand beyond sprint events, aiming to host two rallies bringing their total schedule to six events for the year.

“We have the intention of doing a rallysport championship for the MRA for 2026, that would include our sprints and our rallies, with drivers getting bonus points for entering dexterities. This will lead to an MRA championship at the end of the year,” he explained.

The sprints will continue to be a mix of tarmac and dirt, while March said they will be attempting to have a one-day rally in Frome, Westmoreland, and a two-day international rally to end the year. Things were completed with a rule change announcement as the MRA will be removing the JC1 class from its events.

“It’s going to be a properly action-packed year for the MRA,” he concluded.

Mark-Anthony March (centre) shares a photo op with Brandon King (left), collecting an award on behalf of Gordon Shirley, and Jason King, Montego Bay branch manager, Toyota Jamaica. (Photo: Rory Daley)