Glenroy Sinclair, Assignment Coordinator

ALTHOUGH JEFFREY Panton and co-driver Mike Fennel Jr have been officially declared the winners of Rally Jamaica 2008, the team of Douglas 'Hollywood' Gore and Mark Nelson yesterday filed an appeal against the Gary Gregg/Hugh Hutchinson team, which was promoted to third place.

Chairman of the Jamaica Millennium Motoring Club (JMMC), Errol Anderson, told The Gleaner yesterday that the stewards made some adjustments to Gregg's time on a stage after he (Gregg) had filed a protest. As a result, Gore and Hutchinson were demoted to fourth.

"I filed the appeal a short while ago," Gore told The Gleaner yesterday.

Several grouses

The Montego Bay-based driver said he had several grouses, but the main issue was the decision taken by the stewards to take a minute off Gregg's time. The incident involving Gregg took place on Stage 21 after his car was unable to start while the clock was running.

The stewards made the decision after reviewing a number of statements submitted by the marshalls and competitors.

Despite filing an appeal, Gore believes the three-day rally was a very competitive event. This view was shared by the JMMC chairman.

Panton has now won the event six times. Barbadians Roger Skeete and Robert Simmons finished second. "It was not an easy win. We had to go all out," said Panton.

FINAL RESULTS

(Pending appeal fourth against third)

1. Jeffrey Panton/Michael Fennel Jr (JA9 Ford Focus WRC), 2. Roger Skeete/Robert Simmons (JA9 Subaru Impreza WRC S9), 3. Gary Gregg/Hugh Hutchinson (JA9 Ford Focus WRC), 4. Doug Gore/Mark Nelson (JN8 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X), 5. James Betts/Jeremy Gonsalves (JN8 Subaru Impreza N9), 6. David Lee/Colin Chambers (JN8 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VIII), 7. Harold Morley/Geoff Goddard (JN8 Subaru Impreza N14), 8. Natasha Chang/Guy Fraser (JN8 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo V), 9. Salvador Solis/Nigel Lyn (JN8 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo II), 10. Gordon Brandon/Marcell Brandon (JN8 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo III).