Robert Bailey, Freelance Writer

Organiser Larry Henriques (left), Errol Anderson, chairman of the JMMC (second left), drivers Mark Evans (second right) and Thomas Hall get together during the press launch of the JMMC Rally Championship on Monday at the National Stadium car park - Photo by Robert Bailey

THE SEVENTH staging of the Jamaica Millennium Motoring Club (JMMC)/Petcom/Digicel Invitational Stages Rally will be held from December 7-9.

This year's championship has attracted drivers from Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Japan as well as a strong local complement.

Speaking at the press launch which was held at the National Stadium Mini Park on Monday, Larry Henriques, the meet organiser, said he was excited about this year's rally.

"I am very proud to be a part of rally Jamaica," said Henriques. "I am glad that this rally is going to put the city of Kingston on the map," he said.

"It has been a challenge for us to put together this year's event, however, we have a bumper crop of participants."

Henriques also noted that the championship is set to cost $7 million, up from last year's $4 million.

The rally begins on Friday, December 7, at 4:00 p.m. with a romp around the National Stadium, similar to what was done in the '90s when the venue was used to start the rally.

It continues on December 8 in Lynford and Reynolds, St. Ann, at 8:00 a.m. These stages are the favourites of the local drivers who tend to be quicker than their overseas counterparts due to their local knowledge.

The Tru-Juice Bogwalk and Bybrook stage starts at 7:00 a.m. the next day in St. Catherine.

The final Digicel New Kingston stage follows at Knutsford Boulevard, New Kingston, at 4:00 p.m.

Alphonso Chambers, marketing and sales manager of Petcom, said his company was delighted to be on board once more.

Sponsor proud

"Once again, and for the seventh consecutive year Petcom welcomes the association with the Jamaica Millennium Motoring Club and is especially pleased with its increasing level of prominence gained over the years," he said.

"As a Jamaican company, we encourage any venture that demonstrates a strong passion for excellence, unquestionable standards, discipline, character and perseverance as these are pillars on which we must stand to compete on the international stage," Chambers said.

"This highly-anticipated event will undoubtedly continue its tradition of capturing the attention and exceeding the expectations of both local and overseas racing enthusiasts and spectators alike."

Janice Allen, destination and marketing manager of the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) said: "Our organisation looks forward to welcoming all visitors, particularly those from the region. In endorsing this rally, the JTB encourages all visitors to explore the wide and exciting range of heritage sites, theatres, entertainment, sports and restaurants that you will find here in Kingston, the cultural capital of the Caribbean."