Adrian Frater, News Editor

Dean Corrudus - file

Western Bureau:

Reigning national drivers' champion, Dean Corrudus, who recently quit as public relations officer (PRO) of the Jamaica Millennium Motoring Club (JMMC), says the organisation needs to shed its current informal hobby image for a more professional outlook.

"The JMMC needs to take on a professional approach so that it can become commercially viable and sustainable," said Corrudus, who is president of the Montego Bay Motoring Club (MBMC). "The club needs to make itself marketable to corporate Jamaica like other sports such as cricket and football."

According to the seemingly disgruntled Corrudus, the JMMC is moving too slow in accepting the advice of those who have been recommending that it take on a commercial, professional and promotional approach in its bid to embrace growth and development.

"It would appear that some people like the way things are and they basically see continuity as success," said Corrudus. "The club is moving too show for me so I will be taking my energy and vision into the building the MBMC."

proper foundation

However, Larry Henriques, chairman of the JMMC's competition's committee, said while the organisation is not perfect, he firmly believes that longevity is dependent on laying a proper foundation before making drastic changes.

"We can all move into a great rush towards nothing," said Henriques. "However, if you want to be successful, you need to invest in orderly development. It sometimes might take a long time, but without a proper foundation you will not succeed."

In highlighting some of the weaknesses he sees in the JMMC, Corrudus said there is an urgent need to change the perception that motorsports is an elitist, rich man, white man activity."

According to him, that must change if the sport is to experience growth and development.

"People need to know that once they have the interest and dedication they can get involved," said Corrudus. "We need to change the perception that you don't need to have a family background in the sport and a lot of money to become involved."

Henriques though, says motorsport here in Jamaica is currently doing far better than a number of established countries, and while they are not resisting change, he saw no need for any rush.

"Our motorsport is bigger and better than a lot of established countries," said Henriques. "Our success did not come about because we did things in a rush, it is because we have been doing it in an orderly fashion."