Circuit Racing:The Reggae Racers ruled on their home track!

The CMRC Round 1 held in Jamaica at one of the Caribbean’s premiere circuit racing facilities, Dover Raceway, St. Ann, is a must see event for any motorsport fan. I cannot recall being acquainted with monotony while present at the season opener for the CMRC within recent time. This year was no different and with a rather strong Group 4 contingent, Team Jamaica was destined to haul in a significant share of the silverware. And when the sun embraced dusk at Dover on Sunday (May 26th) I am positive that all the Jamaicans in the building were wearing their national pride like the badge of honour it should be.

When the smoke cleared in Group 4 – the ‘big guns’ group, Team Jamaica bagged a total of 170 points, a whopping 114 more than their closest rival, Barbados, who could only steal 56 points. Guyana, on Sunday,  was left wondering what struck them at Dover, a ‘head in hand’- 34 points - was all they had to show.

‘Old time’ people say – don’t put your eggs in one basket and if we had all joined and remained on the TA1 bandwagon, today, we would be singing doom and gloom songs. Race-cars are mechanical beasts and every now and then a ‘caan lose’ machine will fall victim to the accepted laws of any manufactured article – they have a shelf life! The unknown shelf life of specific components aboard the King’s  machine came calling on Sunday. The Team  was caught napping (no fault of their own though) and a machine (TA1) that was bringing rubber to road and rattling Doug ‘Hollywood’ Gore’s cage, was sidelined and confined to the spectator box for the remainder of the day’s activities.

So, a move that sparked heated debate and discussion with arguments which shone brighter than the light from any spark plug – Doug Gore’s inclusion into the CMRC with the Audi TT-R – proved to be a stroke of genius! The ‘King’ (David Summerbell Jr.) in a moment of weakness, thanks to his trusty steed, TA1, had to deposit the national burden. Doug ‘Hollywood’ Gore extended countless thank you notes to the King and carved a path of DTM Audi TT-R dominance.

Doug won all 3 of the CMRC races and secured 75 points. The other members chipped in to solidify the Jamaican advantage – George Bayley – 28 pts, Chris Campbell – 25 pts, Andre Anderson – 24 pts, and Peter Rae – 18 pts. The Reggae Racers ruled on their home track and if rumor becomes reality we might actually see Round 2 of the CMRC here at Jamwest! The slaughter will be brief! I can hear the knees of the Barbados and Guyana team members rattling like musical instruments!

What do you think about Doug Gore’s performance on Sunday?

Cecil Munroe Gleaner On-Line Writer