Gary Gregg poses with his Ford Focus WRC. - file

Veteran motor racing driver, Gary 'The Colonel' Gregg, is oozing confidence going into tomorrow's international motorsport event - Rally Jamaica 2009, which officially gets under way at the Petcom Service Station in Moneague, St Ann.

The ceremonial start of the two-day Petcom/JMMC event takes place this evening at the Jamaica Insurance Company car park, New Kingston.

"I have a very good chance. This year we have a new car (WRC), which is a lot better than the previous car," the Kingston-based businessman told The Gleaner yesterday.

He has not only expressed confidence in winning the rally, but also in the capability of his experienced co-driver, Hugh Hutchinson. The latter, who resides in Florida, United States, has been travelling to Jamaica over the past decade to participate in the rally.

The hip strip of Knutsford Boulevard is expected to be transformed into a carnival-like atmosphere this evening. Motorsport fans will get an opportunity to have close-up looks at the cars and speak with the drivers.

Gregg is among at least four drivers who will be racing WRC Ford Focus cars. The others include defending champion Jeffrey Panton, Barbadian Paul Bourne and Trinidadian John 'Penti' Powell, who was born in Jamaica.

Very competitive event

"It is going to be a very competitive event. All the classes are going to be hotly contested. I am very impressed with the level of preparation by the drivers," commented Errol Anderson, president of the Jamaica Millennium Motoring Club.

Meanwhile, the Montego Bay-based team members have completed their preparation and are ready to take on the 27-stages rally. Their team leader, Douglas Gore, and experienced co-driver Mark Nelson will be coming to upstage the favourites.

Tomorrow, the drivers will be in the hills and valleys of St Ann in places such as Golden Grove, Rio Hoe and Lydford.