JMMC launches Melissa recovery campaign

The Jamaica Millennium Motoring Club (JMMC) has launched a major international fundraising and awareness campaign to support the island’s recovery from the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa.

The flagship initiative, #RallyForRecovery, will make its global debut at the prestigious Monte Carlo Rally (January 22-25, 2026), the opening round of the 2026 FIA World Rally Championship.

Italian-American driver Filippo Marchino, a close personal friend of JMMC Chairman Stephen Gunter, has volunteered his Citroën C3 Rally2 car to carry the campaign. The vehicle will feature a bold livery inspired by the Jamaican flag, prominently displaying the #RallyForRecovery message across the rally 17’s special stages and more than 339 competitive kilometres through the French Alps.

“Recovery from disaster is never a sprint – it’s a sustained effort,” said Marchino, who is also managing partner of The X-Law Group in Los Angeles, holds an advanced degree in aerospace engineering, and serves on the board of the international One Drop Foundation.

“Through rallying, we’re sending a message that Jamaica is not alone. Every stage we complete represents solidarity, commitment, and the belief that communities can rebuild stronger.”

Marchino’s participation adds a powerful personal dimension: he has commissioned two custom racing suits – one to be auctioned, with proceeds going directly to Jamaica’s relief effort, and the other to be presented to Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness as a symbolic gesture of international unity through sport.

Gunter described the partnership as a landmark moment for Jamaican motorsport.

“This goes beyond racing,” Gunter said. “#RallyForRecovery shows how motorsport can mobilise international support, unite communities, and make a real difference. We are deeply grateful to Filippo Marchino for standing with Jamaica when it matters most.”

The JMMC has confirmed that 100 per cent of funds raised through the campaign will be channelled directly to the Government of Jamaica’s official hurricane relief platform via supportjamaica.gov.jm, ensuring full transparency and accountability.

The initiative will extend throughout the 2026 motorsport season, encompassing drag racing, drifting, circuit racing, karting, and other disciplines – both locally and internationally.

The hashtag #RallyForRecovery is a deliberate play on words, linking the rally discipline of motorsport with the wider call for the global community to ‘rally’ behind Jamaica’s rebuilding efforts.

The club is calling on motorsport fans worldwide, the Jamaican diaspora, and the international community to follow the campaign, amplify the message, and contribute directly through supportjamaica.gov.jm.

Through sport, solidarity, and sustained global engagement, the JMMC believes Jamaica’s road to recovery can be strengthened – one rally stage at a time.