Vengeance Part 1, the first drag race meet of the 2009 season, was successfully staged at Jamwest Speedway in Old Hope, Westmoreland, on Saturday February 28 and Sunday, March 1, 2009. Sponsored by tyre giants Tyre Warehouse through their brands Triangle and Goodride, as well as Hedonism Hotels, Lawson’s Blockmaking, Nepaul’s Block making and Leroy’s Auto Glass, the event was keenly anticipated by a large number of spectators and competitors who, in the off season, were busy improving their cars for attempts at lower elapsed times and therefore greater bragging rights, as well as the trophies and cash prizes available.
Qualifying went well on Saturday despite many competitors suffering some kind of mechanical malady. Missing from the meet was the twin engine Toyota Corolla Station wagon of Mr. Spence from Portmore, reported to be having fuelling problems. The Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VII from the Lueboyz Racing stable was looking to break into single digit territory at this event after making impressive horsepower figures at the dyno, along with the “Mad, sick” Evolution from the Cayman Islands, also with new levels of power.

Most of the big names as well as a host of up-and-comers in the sport turned out to put on an exciting show for the fans. The event went well on the 12, 13, 14 15 and 16 second classes, but was affected by rain in the latter part of the afternoon, at which time a drifting display was put on by Driftline, Corolla and Ian Wright in the Big Red Truck, a Toyota Tacoma. This kept the fans entertained for a while. Close to 5 o’clock the event was restarted and brought to completion on a damp track and in failing light, much to the chagrin of the great number of persons who had left during the rain thinking no further racing was possible for the day. The qualifying times and final classifications are as follows:
10 Seconds
10.464      Michael Williams   JW282
10.521      Craig Lue              JW193
10.598      Richard Nicholas   JW118
10.874      Maxroy Allen         JW153
Winner Craig Lue  – 10.199

11 Seconds
11.147        Robert Ilgner       JW172
11.169        Keroy Scott          JW124
11.19          Shaun Smith        JW30
11.281        Xavia Murray       JW45
11.553       Howard Monteith JW112
11.609        Noel Rhone         JW59
11.621        Paul Richards      JW187
11.625        Sydney Knott      JW117
11.961       Damian Taylor     JW309
Winner  Xavia Murray -11.5

12 Seconds
12.08           Seymour Anderson     JW31
12.112                                           JW315
12.112        Orville Villiers             JW49
12.121        Eugene Grandison       JW91
12.155        Shane Taylor               JW233
12.205        Larryton Lawrrence     JW146
12.272        Gregory Plummer        JW44
12.413        Kirk Lee                      JW46
12.444        Fredrick Farquaharson  JW229
12.508                                          JW201
12.523        Roland Crawford        JW292
12.543        Garfield Haisley         JW252
12.695        Alwyn Brown             JW149
12.736        Andrew Morgan        JW288
12.851        Colin Morris              JW17
12.866        Lyndon Bardowell     JW269
12.994        Boyd Anslip              JW293
Winner – Kirk Lee

13 Seconds
13.044                                       JW327
13.053        Nicholas Bryan        JW167
13.082                                       JW324
13.169        Bryan Smith             JW102
13.208        Oneil Wynter           JW286
13.211                                       JW318
13.227        Omar Evering         JW236
13.261        Kirby Smallhorne    JW139
13.35          Ivor Depass            JW199
13.384                                      JW320
13.516        Jermaine Grant       JW26
13.536        Wark Watson          JW92
13.656        Herbie Edwards      JW06
13.658                                      JW306
13.699        Roger Warren         JW27
13.718        Gregory Brown       JW239
13.736        Garfield Smith        JW294
13.767        Ricardo Lynch        JW267
13.818        Norman Housen    JW165
13.885        Peter James           JW15
Winner – Omar Evering 13.713

14  Seconds
14.042        Alvin Virgo            JW35
14.285        Honeil Wynter       JW289
14.319                                     JW314
14.385        Gorsette Welds     JW280
14.388        Rorae Waite          JW285
14.600        Prince Leung        JW281
14.671        Rayon Bowes        JW232
14.793        Darren Hamilton  JW295
14.796        Michael Allijohn   JW05
14.992        Everol Stewart      JW284
Winner Rorae Waite – 16.472

15 Seconds
15.037                 JW307
15.058                 JW328
15.074        Andrew Bolton        JW291
15.093                 JW323
15.134                 JW299
15.145        Christopher Miller        JW290
15.204        Donovan Johns        JW171
15.205        Overton Grant        JW151
15.269                 JW311
15.342                 JW312
15.373                 JW319
15.384        Richard Rose        JW283
15.42        Jermaine Campbell  JW296
15.424        Sheldon Heaven     JW297
15.431                 JW313
15.472                 JW305
Winner  Richard Rose – 15.442

16 Seconds
16.034                 JW321
16.036        Brenton Richards        JW51
16.06                 JW325
16.075        Andrew Hudson        JW04
16.121                 JW302
16.195                 JW301
16.226        Karim Johns        JW298
16.23                 JW303
16.384                 JW308
16.43                 JW304
16.651                 JW317
17.325        Linray Burton        JW241
17.939                 JW316
19.748                 JW310
20.785        Onair Gallow        JW211
25.959        Christopher D’Ornellas    JW125
Winner  Karim Johns – 16.493

The 2009 Motorsports season kicked off today with the Jamaica Karting Association’s Meet #1 at the Palisadoes International Raceway. The Race Jamaica team will be covering all the motorsports news beginning with this, the first meet of the year.

Despite bleak economic outlooks, the 2009 motorsports season looks to be one of the best in years. With renewed efforts from all the Motorsports organizers, this year’s events are being planned more intensely to maximize on entertainment and reduce costs. Look out for the return of several popular drivers such as “Fattaz” on the rally scene and Jeffrey Panton at Dover. Not to mention some well prepared rookies who are going all out for the rally dirt season later in the year.

There will be new events as well, such as the return of “Mug” rallies, where street cars will compete against each other legally on public roads, traversing challenging courses set by the organizers. This event is aimed at training rookies in the art of rally navigation.

The dexterity season is not to be left out either as new prizes and surprises will be used in the 10 events for the year. Specifically the JMMC series will give the chance to compete against Chris “Teach” Mcfarlane for prizes. Expect new venues and new approaches from organizers.

Drag racing is also going to be big this year, following in the footsteps of the “neva satisfied” crew last year, organizers are planning at least 4 events for the year which will be action packed especially with the debut of new, 10 second and under (fast) cars. Last year Jamwest, which is the only local drag strip in operation, had issues with timing equipment, but they have sorted out the bugs as well as improved the facility and are race ready!

Overseas, we are looking to send strong teams to Rally Trinidad and Barbados. Already our friends across the Caribbean are upgrading to help with their defense, but the Jamaican attack has already been planned and is in action. Look for big news and upsets from the regional international rallies this year!

After a long weekend videos are finally here of the action from Jamwest. No official results have been posted yet, but check the video below for some awesome action!

Jamwest comes alive as top drag racers battle it out on Sunday November 30 at the 2008 Drag Race Title Fight. This meet is expected to be impressive, so don’t miss out!