The second event in the JMMC/Kirdex/Taboo Energy Drink Sprint Championship Series got off to a damp start exactly one month after the last event on Sunday March 22, 2009, as motorsport fans were thrilled once again in the beautiful community of Tobolski, just outside of Browns Town in the parish of St. Ann. The event noted as the JMMC/Taboo/Kirdex Sprint 2, nicknamed ‘Tobolski’s Revenge’, will be remembered for the heated competition among the two wheel drive competitors on a consistently wet surface. Quite unlike the last event a month ago, the rolling hills greeted competitors and fans with persistent drizzle and no sign of the sun which wreaked havoc in February. Locals were more prepared this time, as they were shocked by the throng of out-of-towners in their back yards the last time around. We were even entertained close to the finish with their version of a ‘neighborly scuffle’.
However, the damp, longer surface was not enough to slow down the 25 competitors aiming to claim the King of the Hill trophy.
As was expected, Jeffrey ‘Fudgie’ Panton reclaimed overall honors with his WRC Ford Focus, which was unmatched by any other competitor. The attention was, however, placed on the slightly slower two wheel drive cars competing in the JA3, JA2 and JC2 classes. Panton finished far ahead of everyone else with a best time of 1:12.814, which was less than a second slower than his best time in February.
This seemed to be the trend mirrored throughout the rest of the field, as competitors gave little regard to the damp surface.
Among the competitors were only four rear wheel drive entrants. The hill was greeted by the very talented Alan Chen in his super Toyota Corolla GTS representing the JC1 class. He not only treated fans to two exciting runs, but took it to the hill in a thrilling time of 1:21.843, which was good enough to place 5th overall.
However, you could have heard the uproar of the crowd from Browns Town when Marcus Barnes appeared for the second run in his Toyota Corolla GTS representing the JC2 class. Many remembered him from a month ago thrilling the crowd, only to end the day being rear-ended by a local taxi driver. The crowd was elated to see that he had recovered to compete. Local favorite Ian Edwards thrilled patrons in his Ford Laser for three exciting runs, also in the JC2 class.
While Ian Edwards’ run was entertaining, he was unable to claim a podium finish in the JC2 class, as his relative Nigel Edwards was faster in his boosted VW Golf to claim third place with a time of 1:25.000 behind David Anderson claiming second place in his Dover prepared Mitsubishi Evolution VI (1:23.000) and Doug ‘Hollywood’ Gore, claiming first place in his immaculate Mitsubishi Evolution X with a best time of 1:14.418. This time, so happens to be the closest to Pantons’ time.
The highly anticipated battle among the two wheel drive vehicles was headlined by the JA2 class.
Gary Gregg with his Honda Civic Hatch snatched the honors from Tarik Minott to win the class in a best time of 1:19.400 ahead of Tarik in Super 1600 Suzuki Ignis with a best time of 1:20.000. The desperation for the win was apparent when Tarik made numerous trips to the timing tent immediately following his third run long before times were reported. Maurice Whittingham in his Toyota Corolla FX claimed third in the class with the most entrants with a best time of 1:27.618. In upcoming competitions throughout the motor racing calendar, this will be the class to watch among the front wheel drive vehicles.
The larger displacement engines in the JA3 class was not relatively full, but was just as exciting. There were three competitors and two cars this time around. Dean ‘Duct tape’ Corrodus came this time prepared with his own Honda Civic to hand out licks to Dion ‘Babybomb’ Gardner in his Mitsubishi Mirage RS. Dean finished with a best time of 1:23.000, while Dion had a best time of 1:24.000. The only other competitor in the class was Annakay Dunkley who shared Dion’s car.
Another local favorite, Orville ‘Piggy’ Johnson made it up the hill all three runs as the sole competitor in the JA4 class with a best time of 1:33.373. One wonders if he misses the reigning Driver’s Champion and hope that he repairs his Toyota Starlet soon enough to reclaim the top spot in JA4.
Salvador Solis was also the only competitor in the JN8 class and finished with an improved best time of 1:25.391
This event was brought to you by Taboo Energy Drink, Kir Dex Transportation, KFC, Digicel True Juice, CVM TV, Tropical Battery, Xsomo International and St. Ann Bauxite Company Ltd.
