THE torch that ignites the journey for the Petcom/Hilton Kingston-sponsored 2009 Rally Jamaica was lit at the Hilton Kingston Hotel on Wednesday evening at a social gathering of sponsors and a drivers’ meeting.

This drivers’ meeting set the tone for what is expected be a most competitive and exciting event for both drivers, co-drivers, sponsors and spectators alike and which could develop into two days of fabulous rallying through some the most challenging and picturesque landscape of rural Jamaica.

Jamaica’s premier motorsport event which begins in St Ann on Saturday morning is costing in the region of seven to eight million dollars to stage and among the co-sponsors are X somo and Tru-Juice who fixed all the road surfaces that will be used for the Rally event.

Errol Anderson, chairman of JMMC, organisers of Rally Jamaica and opening marshal for the event, outlined details of the preparatory stage and what is in store.

“This briefing meeting for Saturday’s meet is a mixture of things to give the drivers and their teams a sort of last minute instructions. They already have their instructions in terms of what we call ASRs, which is additional supplementary regulations in terms of what to do and what not to

” So it’s complete, but there are also other little things that are local little things that you need to address, so this is the meeting that is organised to set the stage for a smoother running of things.”

It this harsh economic times when sponsorship is hard to come by, 34 cars will compete, but Anderson envisages a quality meet epitomised by keen rivalry and bragging rights festering at the apex of the action.

“The expectation of this meet is going to be a highly competitive event. The field is only 34 cars, but it’s quality 34, high quality all through the classes. You will have high level of competition in the WRC Class between Paul Bourne of Barbados and defending champion Jeffrey Panton, Gary Gregg and John Powell of Jamaica. Among them it is going to be nip and tuck,” he added.

It is really going to be tight all the way through the other class — the JA8 Class, the JN8 Class, JA2, JA 3 Class all the classes because you have a lot of people who have been competing over the year and have been trying to get the better of each other so Rally Jamaica the premier event of the year is where everybody has the last chance to get the better of somebody for bragging rights going into next year.”

Looking at the event as it moves closer to competition, Anderson said “We begin in New Kingston on Friday afternoon. Everybody will be at the JIIC Insurance Car Park, which what is called a Park expose where the cars are parked and you can walk around look at them try not to touch too much. You can, however, speak to the drivers… the co-drivers and then there is a ceremonial start at about 7:30 pm.”

On Saturday morning the Rally begins in earnest at 8 O’clock out in the mine roads of Rio Ho in St Ann.

Day two will take the drivers to the usual Bog Walk Orchards where the Trade Winds Citrus property is situated and home of Tru-Juice. The Orchards will be their play ground for the morning period of day as their powerful machines bellow through the groves.

The National Stadium in Kingston will the final stop for an afternoon of stunning display of three special stages.