Exciting Racing at Dover : Suggestion 1

I was invited to participate in a discussion on a radio programme recently re increasing the appeal of racing at Dover. The general trend of thought revolved around heightening the experience for the spectator by focusing on several areas.

The host was thinking that there should be ‘something’ happening on track (at all times) to keep the fans entertained in between the scheduled races and at lunch time. It was also suggested that there should be a host of activities in occurrence during the race meet, to keep children and other persons who are brought to the track, but not necessarily race fans, occupied and entertained (thinking more about children).

JRDC

My contribution included three suggestions. I will outline the first one shortly. Based on what I have observed over time, the Jamaica Race Drivers Club (JRDC – the body responsible for organizing the events at Dover), is obviously committed to improving all aspects of what occurs at Dover.

This may be easily seen using two examples. There is now an overhead bridge (over the track), at the entrance to Dover. This ensures safe access to the compound even during races. I can remember years ago, when we had to stand behind the perimeter fence next to track and watch the cars blast by if a race was in progress, all the time cursing our luck, because we would have just missed that race.

Another improvement relates to the recently established ‘Food Court’ which has the vendors/cook shops appropriately aligned and there is a seating area with ample room, if you decide to sit and have your meal. These are clear indicators that the JRDC recognizes the importance of their customers – the race fans.

CMRC

To create more appealing racing at Dover, I would vote for an increase in the rounds of the Caribbean Motor Racing Championship to five (instead of three), with two rounds being held in Jamaica (one round is held in Jamaica now). I am not interested in the politics of how difficult it is to get it done or how it should be done – Hilary Jardine and the other brilliant JRDC executives with their negotiating skills can get it done!

When Jamaica against the rest of the Caribbean is advertised the fans come out in full force. The race cars from our neighbors in Barbados and Guyana which compete in the CMRC are remarkable machines and they raise the excitement level to the stratosphere. As I have stated here in a previous blog, when you hear the Maloneys’(Barbados) Mazda RX3 and Evo VI if you are not blown away by their melodious mechanical harmony – you are not a motorsports fan. Andrew King’s (Guyana) Mazda RX7 is another crowd favorite which emits soul stirring notes as it attempts to make the start- finish straight at Dover disappear with its velocity. These are all cars the fans are eager to see, because apart from being visitors to Dover, these cars perform, bring the fight to the locals and create adrenalin soaked, nail-biting races.

If we can get two rounds of the CMRC at Dover, I don’t think the JRDC’s ticket staff will have enough hands to sell tickets.

Cecil Munroe Gleaner On-line Writer