Glenroy Sinclair, Assignment Coordinator

With the acquisition of his new WRC Ford Focus car, Barbadian driver Paul Bourne is listed among the favourites to win the prestigious Rally Jamaica 2009 which gets under way next Saturday in Moneague, St Ann.

"We will have a ceremonial start on Friday, December 4, about 5:30 p.m., at the Jamaica Insurance Company car park on Knutsford Boulevard, New Kingston," president of the Jamaica Millennium Motoring Club (JMMC), Errol Anderson, told Automotives.

The more than 35 competitors, which includes six overseas-based drivers, will travel to Moneague the following morning for the 8 a.m official start at the Petcom Service Station.

27 stages

The 165 kilometre-long event will cover 27 stages. Day one will take the drivers through St Ann's hilly terrain and includes special stages in Lydford. "For the first time in about 15 years, they will be going back to Rio Hoe. This is a stage located near Lydford which we have used in the past," said the JMMC president.

The second day begins at Angel's Petcom Service Station, St Catherine, then into Bog Walk's terrain. The race ends at the National Stadium in St Andrew.

Defending champions

"I am appealing to the fans, for safety reasons, please don't go wandering on the stages, and obey the instructions of the marshalls," Anderson warns.

In the meantime, defending champions Jeffrey Panton and co-driver Mike Fennell Jr believe that if they are to slip the field and retain their title, the Bog Walk stage is where they will have the advantage.

"With so many new cars in the event, I can't say much, but I love the Bog Walk stage. One thing for sure, we will be making Jamaica proud," said Panton. Their main rivals are drivers Gary Gregg, John Powell and Paul Bourne.

"My understanding is that Gregg and Powell have not been very active with their new cars, unlike Bourne," said Panton.