Jamaica's Jeff Panton Roars to Victory, Seizes R5 Rally Championship Lead at the Sun & Stars Rally 

In a thrilling turn of events, Jamaica's very own rally ace, Jeff Panton, has taken the wheel and surged to the forefront of the R5 Rally Championship presented by First Citizens. This remarkable feat was accomplished after Panton conquered the challenging Rally of the Sun & Stars on Saturday, September 9, leaving the competition in the dust. 

What makes Panton's victory even more impressive is the fact that he clawed his way from a seven-point deficit to a commanding 13-point lead in the Barbados Motoring Federation's (BMF) flagship national championship. The scene was set with just three rounds to go, and Panton delivered in style. Paired with his co-driver, the talented Michael Fennell Jnr, Panton showcased his prowess behind the wheel of a Skoda Fabia Rally2 evo, securing an impressive four stage wins out of six during the afternoon session. These victories paved the way for a nine-second cushion, a vital safety net that proved invaluable as the race transitioned into the challenging night stages.

However, it wasn't all smooth sailing for Panton, who faced a heart-stopping moment during the second-night stage. An incident that could have spelled disaster saw his car teetering on the brink. Panton recalled,

This setback did cost him some precious seconds, but his healthy lead allowed him to adopt a cautious approach for the remainder of the race, securing his well-deserved victory.

But Panton didn't have an easy road to victory. Fellow Jamaican Kyle Gregg, maneuvering a Ford Fiesta Rally2, was hot on his heels, winning four of the night stages and finishing just four seconds shy of Panton. The battle was intense, with Josh Read, driving a Fiesta R5, claiming third place, albeit trailing by an additional 10 seconds.

The race commenced from the Service Park at Greenland, St Andrew, and featured a thrilling mix of daytime stages at Lamberts to Church Hill and Orange Hill to Indian Ground, each run three times before the route was reversed under the shroud of darkness. Panton's initial success in the first three stages, coupled with the misfortunes of his competitors, set the stage for his triumph. Kyle Gregg, for all his determination, faced adversity with three punctures during the afternoon, leaving him in third place at the dinner halt.

Rob Swann, a British contender, initially held a 3-second lead over Gregg but encountered his own set of challenges, including his co-driver falling ill after two stages. Nevertheless, Swann managed to secure second place, with Panton's cushion proving too formidable to overcome.

Mark Maloney, guided by his experienced brother Stuart, secured fifth place despite a puncture setback on the opening stage, positioning him as the last of the R5 competitors. As the race transitioned into the night, Panton continued to shine, maintaining his lead during the first reverse run through Sailor Gully. Although Gregg gave it his all and won the remaining four-night stages, it wasn't enough to overtake Panton, given the time he lost to afternoon punctures. Gregg settled for second place, acknowledging Panton's substantial lead.

In a dramatic turn of events, Swann's rally came to an abrupt end during the second run through Lamberts when his car veered off course, forcing him to retire. This left Gregg in second place, followed by Read and the Maloney brothers.

Additional notable finishers included Roger Hill and Graham Gittens in fifth place, with Paul Horton and Barry Ward in sixth. Horton faced challenges with his Citroen C3 Rally2, encountering power issues and punctures during the race.

Despite the hurdles, Panton's triumphant victory is a testament to his skill and determination. With the championship lead now firmly in his grasp, the R5 Rally Championship promises even more thrilling action in the rounds to come.

Results for R5 Rally Championship, Round 7 - MCBI Rally of the Sun & Stars (September 9):

1. Jeff Panton (JAM) / Mike Fennell Jnr (JAM) - Skoda Fabia Rally2 evo: 24m 52.39s

2. Kyle Gregg (JAM) / Orry Hunte - Ford Fiesta Rally2: + 04.12s

3. Josh Read / Calem Maloney - Ford Fiesta R5: + 13.77s

4. Mark Maloney / Stuart Maloney - Skoda Fabia Rally2 evo: + 23.80s

5. Roger Hill / Graham Gittens - Skoda Fabia R5: + 45.19s

6. Paul Horton (TCI) / Barry Ward - Citroen C3 Rally2: + 1:20.16s

Championship Standings After Round 7:

1. Jeff Panton (JAM) - 98 points

2. Stuart Maloney - 85 points

3. Kyle Gregg (JAM) - 80 points

4. Roger Hill - 67 points

5. Mark Maloney - 51 points

6. Josh Read - 50 points

Upcoming Rounds:

- October 21 - Double Header Speed Event

- October 22 - Winter Rally

- November 12 - ULTRAFEST '23

With Panton at the helm, the R5 Rally Championship is set to deliver more high-octane excitement as the competition heats up in the rounds ahead. Stay tuned for more nail-biting action in the world of rallying.