Drivers and rally enthusiasts turned out in their numbers on Monday night, ready to party and celebrate after the successes in the two-day Rally Jamaica 2014 event, which had concluded on Sunday afternoon. But they all left the lawns of The Knutsford Court Hotel, New Kingston, a disappointed bunch. This was due to an appeal against the final results, which caused the postponement of the scheduled prize-giving ceremony.

Reports are that the appeal has been filed by the second-placed team, Joel Jackson and navigator Dmitri Dawkins.

"They paid the appeal fee and now have 48 hours in which to present their case in writing. At first, they lodged a protest, which was later thrown out, then they indicated that they will be appealing," said Larry Henriques, chief organiser of the event.

According to Henriques, the 48-hour period ends tonight (Wednesday).

When contacted yesterday Andrew Jackson, Joel's father, confirmed the appeal against the rally's results and said an attorney-at-law would be retained to oversee the proceedings. "Joel has appealed and there is nothing much he can say at the moment. We intend to submit the appeal to the Jamaica Millennium Motoring Club (JMMC) by tomorrow (Wednesday)," Andrew Jackson said.

President of the JMMC, Peter Clarke, who was a steward in the event, stressed that every competitor has the right to protest and appeal. "This is something normal in motor sport. The appeal will then be handled by a panel," Clarke said.

Although the prize-giving ceremony was postponed, this did not prevent the provisional winners, Kyle Gregg and his navigator, Hugh Hutchinson, from celebrating. "No way, this did not stop me from celebrating," said Gregg, who came from the jaws of defeat to win the rally on the final stage.

The event got under way last Saturday in the Bog Walk community, St Catherine, with 14 starters. It resumed the following day in the same community and concluded in Mickleton.