Ignition Weekly #10

ISSUE_010

Beauty and the need for speed

INSIDE

NCB Auto Dealer Awards -

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Skunk Nation Import Tuner Night -

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Ms Skunk Nation Exposed -

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hat happens when you put twenty-five beautiful young ladies in go-karts? The Miss Jamaica World (MJW) 2013 Charity Go-Kart Family Fun Day happens as they took over the Palisadoes International Raceway, Jamaica karting’s current home, last Sunday.

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JULY 20TH

Miss Huawei Technologies Jamaica - Jenaae Jackson, winner of the the Miss Jamaica World (MJW) 2013 Charity Go-Kart Family Fun Day.

July 20, 2013

EDITOR’S COMMENTS

Up in yah

I

grill

t’s been two weeks since the tsunami that was Import Tuner Night: Uniting the Streets took place. In the period leading up to the show the roads were clear of performance cars, as their owners got ready to show them off. After ITN, they’re still scarce as they recover from the enormous burst of energy it created. Now people have had the time to ref lect on what happened and the direction the local import/tuner/performance/ modification scene will go. In terms of events, whoever plans the next show will have to come good as without a doubt ITN is the gold standard, platinum maybe.

However, ITN isn’t without its critics and detractors. The Skunk Nation Facebook page is littered with praise, but mixed in with the dialog are a small minority that gave it the thumbs down. Of course it’s to be expected. Deeper examination identifies a potential problem for the Skunk Nation crew. You see I got the feeling from various sources that the dissatisfaction comes from a lack of understanding of the scene and the Jamaica’s normal bandwagon-ism.

The event reminded me of the old parking lot/gas station lymes. The aim there wasn’t so much a party atmosphere, but friends hanging out with food and drink showing off their cars while trying to impress whatever females were present. That’s exactly what ITN was, albeit one that cost a grand. True gearheads got it, made even clearer by the lack of interest in the live entertainment past the Ms Skunk Nation. Those that complained, I deduced, expected a more party-like scenario, which Skunk Nation has thankfully not given into. The ticket price alone should have been enough of a clue that it wasn’t another of those generic uptown allinclusive events. ITN was a celebration for those who enjoy cars in the deepest sense.

This week we didn’t have to struggle to get a pretty girl on our cover as Miss Jamaica World 2013 (MJW) contestant Miss Huawei Technologies Jamaica - Jenaae Jackson showed she was more than a pretty face at the MJW Charity Go-Kart Family Fun Day. Not that we were complaining.

You can only have so many grizzled old racers on the front page.

Oh yeah, you’ll have noticed our new format for IGNITION. Hope you like it. Please don’t forget to like, share all you want. It’s free. ignitionweeklyja@gmail.com

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Garcia Thomas, Toyota Jamaica Sales Supervisor receives the Top new-car dealer award from Marcia Reid-Grant, Assistant General Manager of NCB’s Retail Banking Division.

Loan-l y at the top

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ational Commercial Bank rolled out the red carpet in recognition of the automotive sector’s contribution to its loan portfolio at its annual Auto Dealer’s Awards.

The event, which took place on July 9th at Hope Gardens, saw the financial institution hand out awards for the period 2011-2012 to members of the new and used-car fraternity, including the top dealer for each category. Hosted by Dahlia Harris, the night lived up to its theme Fast and Furious as the speeches were kept to a minimum focusing on the entertainment and awards segments. NCB Group Managing Director Patrick Hylton, backed by Audrey TugwellHenry, Senior General Manager of NCB’s Retail Banking Division made all welcome.

The used-car dealers came first, recognizing the individual performances of which Auto Channel’s Audrianna Smith took the prize for Top used-car sales representative.

Besting Bess for Less Car Mart Ltd. and Auto Channel in the

Top used-car dealer category was Crichton Automotive Limited. A $30,000 gas voucher from Shell/Rubis enhanced their award.

After a wonderful musical performance by former Digicel Rising Star songbird Nickeisha Barnes that went over well with the female members of the audience the programme moved to the new-car dealers.

There was little surprise who the Top new-car dealer award would go as Toyota Jamaica has dominated the sales charts for several years now.

Toyota beat out Stewarts Auto Sales Limited and ATL Automotive. Like Crichton Automotive, they also received Shell/Rubis gas voucher for the same dollar amount. Toyota would also take home a second award through the efforts of Dorothy Quest-Buchanan, who won Top new-car dealer sales representative.

Kerry McCourty, Customer Sales Officer Retail Banking Division closed off the proceedings leaving the all present to mingle.

July 20, 2013

LOCAL

hardcore Only for the

People vying for the Best Honda trophy may have been happy that the Honda Civic of Skunk Nation’s Nick Lue wasn’t entered.

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or a few hours on July 6th the National Arena was the centre of everything automotive as Skunk Nation’s Import Tuner Night: Uniting the Streets easily lived up to its billing. From as far as the eyes could see there was no question that this was the Ultimate Car Party, and not just a party with cars. The main ingredient in Skunk Nation’s success hadn’t been put on the backburner into order to appeal to the weekend party crowd.

As for the uniting part, it was clear that Skunk Nation’s universal mantra of inclusiveness has spilled over big time into everything.

Upon entering the event you were greeted by ATL Racing’s two dominant machines, the Honda Civic of Natasha Chang and Douglas Gore’s Audi TT-R DTM. The crowd was then shuffled down the narrow strip of access road, lined with cars of all types, to the main stage at the end of the venue.

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Ashley Henry heats things up in the Ms Skunk Nation bikini contest.

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July 20, 2013

July 20, 2013

LOCAL

Miss Hi- Qo Art & Framing Gallery - Dianne Brown gives the karting the old college try.

Professional and poised.

<<P.1 It was more than just fun for the MJW contestants, as the event held points towards their overall position in the contest, and if you think race drivers are competitive then you havenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t examined the psychology behind beauty pageantry. The girls went from timid to wild in less time than a shifter kart would take to hit 60mph. By the elimination rounds they had figured out the basics with some showing their intellec-

tual side by plumbing the handlers, Rae Racing who were providing the karts, for tips to go faster.

There were spills and thrills for all, but all in good fun and no injuries. Like Highlander, there could only be six, and odds on favourite Miss U. I. M Records Paige Smith seemed to have everything under control as she battled hard with Miss Huawei Technologies Jamaica Jenaae Jackson in the final race. Jackson had problems dealing with the first

three-quarters of the circuit, occasionally spinning or slowing at the back section hairpin. However, she would always recover to pressure and pass Smith in the last quarter of the track.

Smith would then suffer the greatest of ironies. After several perfect laps, she spun at the same place Jackson did on the previous laps dropping to second.

Jackson crossed the line ecstatic about her win.

Miss Osmosis - Kathryn Davis would

complete the podium in third place. The remaining well-deserved spots are as follows, fourth Miss University College of the Caribbean (UCC) - Candice Hayles, fifth Miss Margaritaville Jamaica Amanda McCreath and sixth Miss Fontana Pharmacy - Toni-Ann Hibbert.

The Suzuki 2013 Miss Jamaica World Grand Coronation Show takes place on Sunday, July 21 and the Montego Bay Convention Centre starting at 5pm.

Miss University College of the Caribbean - Candice Hayles scopes out the pit area for clues on gaining more speed.

The day not only brought out the competitive side of the girls, but big smiles as well.

The girls are all ready to go as they attacked the circuit five at a time courtesy karts from Rae Racing.

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July 20, 2013

LOCAL

Making it clear how hardcore the show was, ATL Automotive, dealers for Honda, VW and Audi, brought out the king of all imports the R34 Nissan Skyline GT-R as a display car.

<< P.3 The layout of the cars, while tight, ensured an ordered approach and enforced well-mannered behaviour showing the planners learnt from last years event. It also made sure the crowd and the display vehicles had to converge. With over three hundred cars to view having them not scattered randomly helped tremendously. They were grouped by a variety of methods, brand, crew, and region, all without affecting the individuals or making things boring.

As for the machines themselves, there was more than enough variety for any enthusiast. Cars ranged from just clean examples of performance favourites, to lightly tuned, to maniac engine swaps. In the mix were showroom sports cars, classics, and bikes. They weren’t out just for fun, but to grab a chance at winning a trophy for their respective brand or category. Especially in the Honda segment where the award had some international gravitas to it as American Javier ‘Mr Honda’ Ortega, was the judge and presenter. That prize when to Perry Singh’s Honda Integra Type-R. If the cars weren’t enough to keep your attention then all one had to do is head down to the main stage for the live entertainment, whether it was watching the Skunk Nation dancers shake it up to the musical styling of the several DJs doing their sets. Late in the night the finals for the Ms Skunk Nation contest.

The girls kept the crowd going until Sue Ann Gordon was eventually crowned, but there was precious little interest for anything else after. Musical guest after musical guest failed to hold the audience that quickly returned to mingling with the cars and their friends for the remainder of the night.

Say what you want about ITN, the show was well organized, ran smooth and offered plenty for those who were willing to take the time to explore the over 300 cars that made it to the event. Skunk Nation may have a problem on its hands topping Import Tuner Night 2013 next year.

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Skunk Nation’s Eddie Bond went the aggressive wingless route with his Lancer Evolution for the night.

July 20, 2013

LOCAL

Ms Skunk Nation

exposed

By Tara-Kaye Salmon

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wenty year old Sue Ann Gordon bested eleven other ladies to take the first ever title of Ms. Skunk Nation at the staging of Import Tuner Night: Uniting the Streets held on July 6 at the National Arena parking lot.

Sue Ann is an Assistant graphic artist and videographer at the Ministry of Education who has a passion for the visual and performing arts. In her spare time when she is not sketching or doing abstract art she can be found partying. Sue Ann had a dream of becoming a tattoo artist and has designed body art works for friends but started modelling a few years back. Since then she has done petit modelling for a prominent modelling agency.

The 5’1” beauty decided to vie for the title Ms. Skunk Nation as she was informed by a friend that she would fit the profile well. Aware of the ‘stink’ the brand was causing she thought she could represent them well.

“I was nervous at first and didn’t expect to win, but on the night when I observed the other contestants answering their questions I knew I had to do something different” Her unique approach to answering her question on the night of the competition was advantageous, helping her to secure the title of Ms. Skunk Nation 2013.

This has been an amazing experience for Sue Ann and says it’s the best feeling she has had as this is the first competition she has entered. Sue Ann is appreciative of the opportunity to represent Skunk Nation and is grateful for the kind wishes she is still receiving. The victory has caused Sue Ann to rethink entering modelling full time. Given the great environment and opportunity the appeal of becoming an import model has increased.

As the inaugural 2013 Ms. Skunk Nation, Sue Ann plans to represent the brand to the fullest by being a great spokesperson due to her vast understanding of car modification, and producing mind-blowing photo shoots all to make her mark as the first ever. When she vacates her title next year Sue Ann hopes that she leaves big shoes to fill for her successor.

“She will have to be down to earth proving that she deserves the title. Skunk Nation is a lifestyle, it is now my lifestyle, and even after my reign I will be reppin’ Skunk at all team events.”

Ms. Skunk Nation 2013 Sue Ann Gordon.

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July 20, 2013

MOTORSPORTS MarcAnthony Eaton leads Senna Summerbell in Rotax Minimax.

Battle

at Midway

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s the Jamaican Karting Association season reached its half-way point with the recently held meet number four, Fraser McConnell leads the Abe Ziadie Championship, the sports overall title.

McConnell has been racking up points and victories in the 125cc Rotax Seniors class, which he also currently leads, after taking both class final wins at the last meet. Second in the championship chase is another driver at

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the top his class Mark Moodie. Racing in the 80cc class, Moodie has been a revelation and benefited heavily from the absence of Thomas Gore in round four. Leading 125cc Rotax Juniors and his group Thomas Issa sits third in the points. While Issa is capable of taking the title, his international programme due to his entry into the Go-Karting World Championship scheduled for New Orleans later this year, is working against his chances to remain in that position.

Fourth in the points is another 80cc racer, Thomas Gore. His placing is impressive given the short period of time he’s been in the sport. Completing the top five is Matthew Williams.

Williams has been battling it out with McConnell all season, but has lost precious points during the meets when Collin Daley Jr. has made appearances.

Glaringly absent from the higher reaches of the leaderboard are last year’s winner Joshua Sirgany and points rival Peter Moodie Jr. Like

Issa, Sirgany is pursuing an overseas programme trying to qualify for the World Championships. For Moodie Jr., he’s has been an unwilling victim as the fluctuating interest in 125cc Rotax Masters has made it hard to keep the minimum numbers necessary to hold races for his class. The new cheaper spec Maxxis tyre has seen the class numbers increase by one over the last two meets hinting at a possible stable situation going on for the rest of the year.

It was one a piece at race meet four for Ryan Chisholm (left) and Zander Williams.