Circuit Racing: David Summerbell’s near miss – Part 3 of 3

Buried in confusion, I grabbed some information from Peter Moodie Jr. and transported by a frightened curiosity-filled vehicle, I joined the panic-stricken throng. As we ran in unison, the voices gained faces and from persons in the crowd and some who we passed with consternation etched deep in their expressions, the information came in unfiltered and unedited.

Still in the sprint mode, I got to Troy Riley’s Honda CRX. The windscreen was shattered and a pronounced, gaping hole, spoke an awful tale. The story about a child being hit began to make sense.
Cory at work on Troy’s machine

I stopped briefly, heard a little of what was being said, but my inability to render assistance encouraged me to move on. I knew I saw at least one ambulance leaving the scene at Troy’s car and I also saw the same white pick-up truck that Stephen jumped in, exiting turn 1 – which I did not reach as yet.

TA1

What was abundantly clear by this time and I came to accept, was the fact that David Summerbell Jr. and TA1 left the track, at what appeared to those who said they saw it, at a high rate of speed. It was also confirmed that he was whisked away in one of the ambulances.

When I eventually got to turn 1, the jungle-like vegetation did not serve as a deterrent. Prickles, insects, bugs and even barb wire were all evenly distributed, but also imaginary to the dense gathering of fans who encircled the object of their affection – TA1. So thick was the human layer around the car, it was not possible to determine its colour even when I was less than 5 feet away!

An unusual shot of TA1

When I eventually saw the car, my heart sank when I was confronted with its disfigured face. I noticed however that the cockpit was intact and major visible interior damage was absent. It was only then that my fear dissipated and my heart resumed normal duties.

Initially I was frightened and scared witless! David Summerbell Jr is an extra-ordinary individual. He is, according to JRDC President, Hilary Jardine, the best driver the Caribbean has ever seen. Earlier during the day I stood and watched a group of children lining up to have their picture taken with him. He is an affable person with an endearing personality. He is an ambassador for our sport and as I have said before, a national treasure.

Doug Gore

Doug ‘Hollywood’ Gore is also an exceptional race car driver and the fact that he is a forceful competitor, in no way prejudices my view of the Montegonian. His willingness to assist others, including David Summerbell Jr. when he (Doug) ruled the ‘Evo Kingdom’, before the arrival of TA1, confirms that he has a constant supply of goodwill.

Doug’s integrity, in my book, has always been intact and it shone even brighter after David’s incident. Persons who said they saw Doug after TA1 disappeared into the bushes, stated that he looked as if he was about to have a heart attack! They maintain an on-track rivalry but one which is marked by positive, healthy camaraderie.

With TA1 resting a few mm from the brave tree which helped to arrest its forward motion, a relevant issue took prominence. David Summerbell Jr. is a hero to a wide cross section of Jamaicans, for all the right reasons and it is obvious that his appeal transcends the social divide.

I spoke to Stephen Tuesday afternoon (18th ) and he confirmed that David was ok, remarking that he (David) was only “sore in his shoulders”. The harness did its job!

David’s near miss brought back memories I had banished to the – Do Not Remember section, so I am grateful it was just that – a near miss. The collective sigh of relief that exited our lungs when we realized David had escaped, is still resonating islandwide.

The ‘King’ is fine, the child is recovering and TA1 is preparing for Guyana. Thank God!

Cecil Munroe Gleaner On-Line Writer