Adrian Frater, News Editor

Douglas Gore ... the driver to beat. - File

WESTERN BUREAU:

SPEED AND dexterity should be the order of the day in the canefields of Frome, in Westmoreland, this Sunday as the nation's top motor rally drivers square-off in the 2006 Jamaica Millennium Motoring Club (JMMC)/Montego Bay Motoring Club (MBMC) Raynor King Memorial Stages Rally.

"The event has become a favourite of drivers in the rally sport series, as the canefield roads are well kept and meticulously prepared for the event," said Dean Corrodus, the president of the MBMC. "This year the event date has been moved forward to August 20, from the original late October date, as the event has been adversely affected by rain both in its preparation stages and running over the past few years."

'Who is who' line-up

With a line-up reading like a 'who is who' in Jamaica's stages rally, the impressive pack is led by the duo of Doug Gore and Mark Nelson, the current rally championship leaders, in their Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution 8, which is feared and respected on the rally circuit.

The other top-flight competitors include Jeffrey Panton/Justin Morin in their classy Lancer Evolution 9, Richard Rerrie/Neil Baugh in their Subaru Impreza, Leslie Mad-den/Robert Dehaney in another Subaru Impreza and Haresh Ramchandani/Colin 'Stuffy' Chambers in their Mitsubishi Mirages.

Hunt for first title

While not one of the favourites, the exciting Rory King, the son of the late Raynor King, who will be teaming with Winston Dawson, is hoping to rise to the occasion in a big way in their Mitsubishi. According to reports, King, who is yet to win a major event, plans to make this memorial event for his dad, his first title.

The event - which has secured sponsorship support from KFC, Petcom, Digicel, Sam Bull/Quic Aid Wrecking Service, Carsmart Auto Traders, China Motors, Knutsford Express, Lloyd's of Montego Bay, Pharmaton & Ginsana Natural health products, Coral Gardens Shell, Savanna-la- Mar Shell, Xsomo, The Pelican Restaurant, Bearings & Seals - is organised by the Montego Bay Motoring Club in association with the Jamaica Millennium Motoring Club.

"We are expecting excellent crowd support and a lot of excitement," said Corrodus. "Everything is point to an excellent rally."