PANTON TRIUMPHS IN 2023 R5 RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP, BENEFITING CHARITIES

Panton Triumphs in 2023 R5 Rally Championship, Benefiting Charities

In an exciting debut season, Jamaica's Jeff Panton secured victory in the 2023 R5 Rally Championship presented by First Citizens. He accomplished this feat while driving a Skoda Fabia Rally2 evo, marking his first departure from Ford rally cars in over a decade. In a strategic move to secure the championship, Panton opted to pace himself during the final round, the BRC Winter Rally, which took place on October 22. He finished in the third position, allowing Mark Maloney to claim his first R5 win after a thrilling battle with Britain's Rob Swann.

As a result of Panton's success, the charity he nominated, Food for the Poor/The HUB People-Helping-People, will receive a generous $5,000 donation from the title sponsor, First Citizens. The Barbados Motoring Federation (BMF), the championship's administrator, will also contribute $1,000 and $500 to the charities chosen by the runners-up. Despite his withdrawal from driving the previous month, Reigning Champion Stuart Maloney secured the second position in the standings, continuing his support for the Because of Jenna Trust. In the third place, Kyle Gregg of Jamaica nominated the Autism Association of Barbados.

Teaming up with his regular co-driver, Mike Fennell Jnr, Panton managed to secure victory in three of the points-scoring rounds. Due to the cancellation of rounds eight and nine caused by Tropical Storm Tammy, the championship was reduced to six rounds. Mark Maloney claimed victory in four rounds, including two non-scoring events in March, and he also served as the co-driver for his brother in their victorious performance in the Skoda Fabia Rally2 evo during the last round.

Panton reflected on their championship-winning strategy, saying,

“We were leading the R5 championship needing eighth or higher to secure it. So, we made a decision to pace ourselves and not go for the win in the event but to focus on the overall championship we were leading. We didn’t drive ten-tenths but drove to maintain our spot in the middle of the pack, and it worked out in the end.”

— Panton

Despite this strategic decision, the final round was filled with drama and tension as nine R5s competed on two different stage venues in St John and St Joseph. Gregg and his Bajan co-driver, Orry Hunte, set the early pace in their Ford Fiesta Rally2, securing a narrow victory in the first run through the four-kilometer Society to Cherry Grove stage. Swann, accompanied by his fifth different co-driver of the season, Geoff Goddard, was second, and Panton was third. The Turks & Caicos Rally team's Paul Horton, driving a Citroen C3 Rally2 with triple British Rally Champion Matt Edwards, made a strong start by finishing fourth.

Josh Read and Calem Maloney, driving a Fiesta R5, won the first alternating Blackmans to Tappy Pond stage. However, Gregg maintained the lead, though it was reduced to just 0.4 seconds, with Panton still in the third position and Mark Maloney moving up to fourth.

With three more stage wins before lunch, Gregg extended his lead to nearly 6 seconds, while Mark Maloney passed Panton for the third position after the second Society to Cherry Grove stage, trailing Swann by just over 3 seconds.

In the morning session, Roger Hill and Graham Gittens, driving a Fabia R5, consistently held the fifth position. Read moved up to sixth place by lunch. Horton slipped to seventh, and the Fiesta R5s of his fellow Turks & Caicos entries, Ben and Stan Hartling, completed the field, with son Ben co-driven by Kreigg Yearwood ahead of his father, co-driven by Jeremy Croney. Both Hartlings were in need of seat time in their first outing of the season.

The day took a dramatic turn for Gregg after lunch when he clipped a chicane near the beginning of the first Blackmans stage, causing a puncture that cost him dearly. This setback pushed him down to the fourth position, more than 7 seconds behind the new leader, Mark Maloney, who not only won the stage but also snatched the lead from Swann. Swann, mystified about the reason for losing a couple of seconds to the local driver on every run through Blackmans, made a comeback in the first run through the reversed Cherry Grove to Society stage, becoming the third different leader of the event, but only by a margin of 0.8 seconds. However, Mark Maloney's lead extended to nearly 3 seconds on the final Blackmans stage, securing his victory.

Mark Maloney attributed his success to his brother Stuart's coaching over the final events, saying, "It was a fun day, and I'm finally getting into the R5 now." Swann, eager to have a good event after earlier disappointments, stated, "I dropped time to Mark through Blackmans but struggled to see where. I felt we attacked every corner, but I lost a couple of seconds each pass, which ultimately cost us the win."

Panton finished in the third position, securing the championship title, with Josh Read taking the fourth position after winning both Cherry Grove to Society stages after lunch. Although Read's progress briefly pushed Hill down to the sixth position, Gregg's spin and further time lost on the second afternoon Blackmans stage saw him drop behind Hill.

Gregg commented on his performance, saying,

“It was a promising start, leading after the first five stages. Then we clipped a chicane in SS6, got a puncture, and it went downhill from there as we lost 16 seconds. These are the highs and lows. I know my pace is there but I just need to keep it clean. Overall, I’m happy... but not happy at the same time; I finished the year strong with good times and good stage wins.”

— Gregg

Horton finished in the seventh position, with Ben and Stan Hartling completing the field. Horton expressed his satisfaction, saying,

“It was a nice end to the year, especially after the incident in Sol Rally Barbados. To get back to where I am now with that confidence and feeling in the car, I’m really happy.”

— Horton

R5 Rally Championship presented by First Citizens, Round 10

BRC Winter Rally, October 22

Results:

1. Mark Maloney/Stuart Maloney (Skoda Fabia Rally2 evo) - 19m 34.20s

2. Rob Swann – ENG/Geoff Goddard (Skoda Fabia R5) - + 02.85s

3. Jeff Panton – JAM/Mike Fennell Jnr - JAM (Skoda Fabia Rally2 evo) - + 06.69s

4. Josh Read/Calem Maloney (Ford Fiesta R5) - + 10.31s

5. Roger Hill/Graham Gittens (Skoda Fabia R5) - + 17.65s

6. Kyle Gregg - JAM/Orry Hunte (Ford Fiesta Rally2) - + 23.69s

7. Paul Horton – TCI/Matt Edwards - WAL (Citroen C3 Rally2) - + 33.95s

8. Ben Hartling - CAN/Kreigg Yearwood (Ford Fiesta R5)

Jamaica's Jeff Panton Roars to Victory

Jamaica's Jeff Panton Roars to Victory

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.

Jeff Panton leaving the competition in the dust. 

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,

““I thought it was over. I thought two wheels were off, but when I dipped the clutch, the car moved.””

— Jeff Panton

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.

R5 Rally Championship restarts.

Title race wide open as R5 Rally Championship restarts.

The race to win the second season of the R5 Rally Championship, presented by First Citizens, is wide open as competitors from home and away gather in Barbados for Saturday’s (September 9) Rally of the Sun & Stars, the first qualifying round for three months. Running from day into night over 12 stages, the Motoring Club Barbados Inc’s (MCBI) premier event is round seven of 10 in this year’s R5 title chase.

After four points-scoring rounds, reigning champion Stuart Maloney again holds the advantage, but is only seven points ahead of Jamaica’s Jeff Panton, each now at the wheel of Skoda Fabia Rally2 evo. Panton’s fellow countryman Kyle Gregg (Ford Fiesta Rally2) is third, another 15 points behind and seven ahead of Bajan Roger Hill, who finished third in last year’s inaugural championship in his Fabia R5.

With fewer than 30 points spread across the top four in the standings and 64 remaining on offer between now and the final round in November – that represents just over 40 percent of the points awarded throughout the season - there is still all to play for. Maloney and Panton are the only winners so far, sharing the honors two apiece, but others have come close, Gregg, Hill, and Mark Maloney (Fabia Rally2 evo) all having second-place finishes to their credit.

While last month’s Barbados Rally Club (BRC) Double-Header Summer Sprint in St George was not a round of the Championship, the results for the R5 class do provide a useful mid-term form guide for everyone except the UK’s Rob Swann, the only series regular who wasn’t entered. Gregg and Panton shared the victories - Panton also beat Dane Skeete’s Subaru Impreza WRC S12 to claim his first overall win for two years - while Stuart Maloney split the Jamaicans in the first direction between Drax Hall and Ellesmere, then finished fourth behind Panton, Gregg and his brother Mark in the reverse, the quartet covered by less than seven-tenths of a second.

“I don’t know if I just didn’t have my mojo, but the guys were quick. I think too that, if he had got a good fourth run in, Mark would’ve blitzed us based on his third run time. I give props to them, they were quick. I know I left some time on the stage but props to the guys who were all fast.”

— Maloney

Former circuit racing and rally champion Gregg is settling into his first season in an R5, as he said after the BRC event:

“The confidence is coming along the more I’m driving the car. We did some chassis changes to the car to soften it a bit to remedy some understeer we had been dealing with. I made a couple of mistakes on the day and had a puncture near the end of the last run of the day but was happy to be competitive. The pace is there and all the people that doubted the Ford, the Ford is back.”

— Gregg

While Swann missed the Summer Sprint, his earlier R5 Championship results were heading in the right direction, placing him fifth in the standings behind Hill. Since he retired from the Shakedown Stages in April when he struck a power pole while leading the event at the end of the second stage, his record shows a healthy shift in the right direction: seventh in First Citizens King of the Hill, then fourth and third on the two days of Sol Rally Barbados. This weekend, his co-driver is James Hutchinson, who won SuperModified 1 on Sol RB23 in Jason Cozier’s recently acquired Ford Escort MkI.

Another whose results are on the right trajectory is Josh Read (Fiesta R5), who finished second to Maloney in 2022. Another to exit abruptly from the Shakedown Stages, his Championship results since have been eighth, sixth, and sixth, while he finished fourth and sixth in the Double-Header last month. Read also has a change of co-driver this weekend, karting champion Calem Maloney stepping in, as does the Turks and Caicos Rally Team’s Paul Horton (Citroen C3 Rally2), who will be joined by Barry Ward. Horton and Andrew Mallalieu (Fiesta R5) were closely matched in the Summer Sprint.

Saturday’s event is scheduled to start at 2:00 pm from the Service Park at Greenland, St Andrew. The afternoon route will alternate between Lamberts to Church Hill (4.6 kilometers) and Orange Hill to Indian Ground (3.1km), three times each, with the stages running in the reverse direction for the night-time route, scheduled to start at 6.30 pm.

R5 Rally Championship presented by First Citizens
Entry list – MCBI Rally of the Sun & Stars, September 9
Kyle Gregg -JAM/Orry Hunte (Ford Fiesta Rally2)
Roger Hill/Graham Gittens (Skoda Fabia R5)
Paul Horton – TCI/Barry Ward (Citroen C3 Rally2)
Andrew Mallalieu/Geoffrey Goddard (Ford Fiesta R5)
Mark Maloney/Justin Maloney (Skoda Fabia Rally2 evo)
Stuart Maloney/Kristian Yearwood (Skoda Fabia Rally2 evo)
Jeff Panton – JAM/Mike Fennell Jnr - JAM (Skoda Fabia Rally2 evo)
Josh Read/Calem Maloney (Ford Fiesta R5)
Rob Swann – ENG/James Hutchinson (Skoda Fabia R5)

Championship points, after round 6: 1st Stuart Maloney, 85 points; 2nd Jeff Panton – JAM, 78pts; 3rd Kyle Gregg – JAM, 63pts; 4th Roger Hill, 56pts; 5th Rob Swann – ENG, 48pts; 6th Mark Maloney, 38pts; 7th Josh Read, 35pts; 8th Andrew Mallalieu, 33pts; 9th Paul Horton – TCI, 15pts

Remaining rounds: October 21 – Double Header Speed Event; October 22 – Winter Rally; November 12 – ULTRAFEST ‘23
For media information only. No regulatory value.

For further information:
Please contact BMF Vice-President, David Williams E-mail: vicepresident@bmf-fia.com
Website: https://bmf-fia.com/

Robin Bradford