After years of dormancy, navigational rallying has been revived in Jamaica. RaceJamaica.com collaborating with some very dedicated race stewards, put on Mug Rally #1, which was held on Sunday March 15th 2009. The day was fun filled with everyone starting from the Boulevard Super Centre in Kingston and (eventually) finishing at Scotchie’s in St. Ann’s Bay. Simultaneously another Mug Rally, organised by the Montego Bay Motoring Club was started in Montego Bay and finished at the same location, east meeting west at Scotchie’s in St. Ann.

A mug rally is a navigational rally held on public roads. Speeding is strictly prohibited and speed limits are to be adhered to throughout the event. Each team (driver and navigator and also possibly a time keeper) received a map and route instructions. The purpose of the rally is to help boost the experience of our local drivers and navigators as well as allowing teams to see the many areas of Jamaica they have never seen before.

The event was very well received and had several attendants at the two navigator training sessions. Not to be outdone, there were new and old faces marshalling for the event. This event introduced over 10 new marshals to the sport, as well as brought back long time marshals who have not participated in many years. Without the marshals this event would not have been possible.

There were two classes of competitors, Rabbits (novices) and Hares (experts). Keith Tennant and Amador Gilman won the Hare class as well as the overall event. Both are mug rally legends and entertained the crowd at the awards ceremony at Scotchie’s with stories of previous events . Second overall and Second in Hare class went to Ibraheem Khan and Norman Bernard. First Place in the Rabbit class went to Angus Gordon and Scott Gordon, who were also third overall. Angus is also a mug rally legend and he came out for this event with his son who was celebrating his 14th birthday. Entry fee: $2500, Lunch: $800, Winning an event at your first attempt as navigator: priceless, and also not a bad birthday present.

The Kingston event started with 15 participants, however only 12 made it to the finish line. The other participants retired in frustration. After speaking with event officials, we understand that because no event like this has been run in over 5 Years, many people are either rusty or experiencing a navigational rally for the first time. The next event should be much more competitive as teams gain more experience.

This event was aimed at reintroducing fun-filled, multi-participants navigational rallies to the Jamaican motoring scene. And not only was it the first event of its kind in over 5 years, but it was also the first motoring event in Jamaica with online registration and promotion.

RaceJamaica.com would like to congratulate all competitors in the rally on a job well done, and we look forward to seeing you at the next event! Also many thanks to our stewards and marshals who played such a big role and who put in the extra time to make this an event a success! Thanks also to the many supporters who encouraged and guided us.

Please enjoy the results, photos and videos below.