Panton gears up for ‘incredible’ experience

JAMAICAN RALLY champion, Jeffrey Panton, will match his driving skills with some of the world’s best, as he is set to compete in the 73rd edition of the Rally Mont-Blanc in the French Alps of Morzine, from September 2-4.

The event, which forms part of the French and Swiss Rally Championship, will see Panton and co-driver Mike Fennell Jr debut in their new Ford Fiesta MK2 in the Rally Two class, which is the new version of the R5, and one step down from the World Rally Champion (WRC). Over 320 competitors will be on show, including former WRC champion, Sebastian Loeb of France, along with French legends Francois Delecour and Gilles Panizzi.

“Just to be competing with the likes of those guys is incredible. It’s the first time I will be driving the vehicle as well as doing this event in France, so we will go down there for the experience as we have no unrealistic expectations,” said Panton.

“One thing for sure is that we will do our best,” he added.

The 73rd RALLYE MONT-BLANC - MORZINE represents a total course of 571.12 km., including 16 special stages, totalling 183.23 km. It is divided into six sections and two stages.

Following the postponement of Rally Jamaica late last year and Rally Barbados this year, Panton will be utilising the event to get much-needed seat time in preparation for future rally events.

“We took the opportunity when we heard that Rally Barbados was going to be postponed to sell our existing car and acquire a car that would be eligible and accommodated in Barbados next year. So we did that early so that we could get valuable seat time and it so happens that the persons who are building our new car are associated with the rally in France, so we decided to take up the opportunity,” added Panton.

Panton will be receiving support from former WRC Rally driver, Simon John Joseph, from Martinique, who will be in Paris to help the team with the rally.