Intense battles expected at JamWest

Chad Bryan, Gleaner Writer

Local drag racers and two Jamaican international competitors are expected to duke it out along the 1.8-mile strip of the JamWest Speedway in Little London, Westmoreland, today.

A large number of drag racers are scheduled to grace the circuit for the meet at the end of 2013.

"There are going to be quite a few vehicles. Mainly, we're having Damian McKenzie and Damon Chin from Miami. Damian McKenzie is driving a Volkswagen that should be doing eight seconds, and Damon Chin has a six-second car. So we want to see if he (Chin) can come here and match that time here on Sunday," said track manager and event organiser, Windsor Young.

Young also raised the prospect of a local versus overseas rivalry.

"We have a few cars here that will be competing and that we're putting up against Chin and his Celica. We have Brent Morgan from Kingston, and his vehicle that will be put up against Chin and his Celica, and the Volkswagen against Sidney Knott or Dean Shaw. We have a few cars we can match up," Young stated.

These head-to-head challenges will be the main highlight of the event.

nine-second challenge

Young also said that a number of vehicles, including his own, are expected to compete in a nine-second run challenge.

Assistant promotional manager for the drag-racing event, Elle Johnson, pointed out that McKenzie's Volkswagen Beetle was once the fastest vehicle on the drag-racing circuit, and that it had been built in Jamaica before being shipped to Florida, where it was further modified. The vehicle made its last local appearance in 2002.

Chin's Toyota Celica is also returning to the island for the JamWest event.