Circuit Racing: CMRC Round 2 – Fire in the darkness

I look forward to Round 1 of the CMRC at Dover Raceway. In my book, it is without contest, the most important race meet on the motorsport calendar. The imported firepower introduces an adrenalin trove, one which is spawned by marauding, stampeding horses, all programmed to chase a single target – victory!

The competitive spirit is tangible and each race is fiercely fought. When challenged, thanks to our inherent resilience, outright superiority (yes, I am biased) and rock-solid poise, we usually deliver our best. Our neighbors are fully aware, frightened even, of this non-debatable fact and as such, each time they visit Dover Raceway, we willingly remind them of our dominance.

In David Summerbell Jr we have a national treasure. I hope he is told, long before he retires. When he climbs into his machine, reacquaints himself with his red race-seat and conducts his surgical exploration of whichever track he is at, the competition pauses, observes and may even take notes.

Mark Maloney

At Round 1 at Dover, I listened intently to Mark Maloney as he battled mental epilepsy, trying to figure out how David Summerbell was lapping at the pace he did, considering that when he (Maloney) tried to copy and paste the King’s pace/route, his machine responded like a dog on ice. My sympathy for the fellow flowed freely.

So, at Dover, the King did what the Bajans and the Guyanese have come to accept as their harsh dose of reality – he took maximum points. Round 2 in Barbados, for us, is like a damage control press conference – we tip toe and hope for the best! Bajans apparently are blinded by a mist when they take to the track. They have no qualms about moving you a bit to the side to gain an advantage. The track at Bushy Park fosters the behaviour as well. It’s a 44 seconds bobsled- narrow track – it is minuscule!

Question – What do you get when you put a swarm of air- ingesting, race-fuel consuming, fire-snorting machines, on a belt to race?

Answer – Round 2 of the CMRC at Bushy Park Barbados.

I will admit, the spell binding spectacle cannot be denied and by all accounts, excitement exists in abundant quantities at Bushy Park. David Summerbell Jr and Team Summerbell escaped and even benefitted from the inevitable chaos and carnage. David revved to and inherited podium spots in 2 of the 3 races – Race 1 – 3rd and Race 2 – 2nd.

Race 3, which I have labelled – Fire in the darkness – demands a complete blog or few for itself. In concise form, the race was held at night, on a track devoid of proper lighting. A re-run of the race in Guyana at Round 3 is being proposed, but I have not seen the official position as yet.

In 2011, in an era when safety, for both race-fans and drivers, is of paramount importance, I will say this unreservedly – all implications considered – Team Summerbell and Team Jamaica should have indicated in no uncertain terms, that they were not willing to and would not field cars for that race. I am not concerned about what has happened in the past and where it happened. Someone should have taken a stance and made it abundantly clear that the circumstances which existed, when the drivers were asked to compete, were everything else except acceptable.

I find it weird that in sitting, Rosa Parks was standing up for what was right!

David, I am happy you are ok. Don’t do it again!

Here are 2 videos of the event.

CMRC Round 2 – Barbados 2011

David Summerbell Jr – night race

What is your view of the final race (night race).

Cecil Munroe Gleaner On-Line Writer