Summerbell maintains lead in Barbados

Caribbean Motor Racing Championship (CMRC)

The CMRC has the most powerful cars and the best drivers in the Caribbean. This guarantees exciting, competitive, wheel to wheel racing, in three rounds of fierce battles in Jamaica, Barbados and Guyana. Obviously a little bump and run will be thrown in the mix every now and then, which tends to ignite even the most reserved fan, immediately transforming the individual into a raging forest fire. Passionate, intense racing – I love it!

Round 1 – Dover

At Round 1, held at the Dover Raceway, Jamaica, in May, Team Guyana was unable to participate, but Team Barbados brought their weapons of destruction to displace David Summerbell Jr, Doug Gore and the rest of Team Jamaica (Gary Williams and Chris Campbell). Despite being exhilarating, hair-raising race cars, Mark Maloney’s fire-breathing Red Bull Mazda RX3 and Stuart Maloney’s technology laden, Automotive Art Mitsubishi EVO VI, were no match for Summerbell’s Motor Sales/Total Lubricants/AMS prepared, Mitsubishi EvoVIII. Summerbell sped to victory in all three of the CMRC races and took maximum points. Defending champion Stuart Maloney, stayed in contention by placing second in two of the races and fourth in the third race.

Round 2 – Barbados

Barbados played host to Round 2 of the series (August 29th and 30th) and from the outset Team Jamaica was plagued with problems. In one of the races at the Independence Blast-off race meet held at Dover raceway (August 1st and 2nd), David Summerbell Jr and Doug Gore were involved in a racing incident. As a result, Doug Gore was unable to make the trip to Barbados. Gary Williams and Chris Campbell were also unavailable, thus severely hampering the team effort in Barbados. Jaleel Handal (Tile City Subaru Wrx) was invited as a replacement and his inclusion played a gargantuan role in assisting Summerbell on race-day.

It is rumored that Bushy Park in Barbados is not kind to Summerbell and it wasn’t particularly kind to Handal. Both drivers did not have a lengthy practice session because they got the cars from the ports late and on the day of qualifying Handal’s oil pump failed and damaged the engine in his car. For a moment, it seemed as if Summerbell’s luck was changing when Roger Mayers, Andrew King and Stuart Williams were penalized and sent to the back of the grid (for Race 1) for failing to weigh after qualifying. Summerbell was now third on the grid!

Race 1

The Bajan witch doctors went to work overnight and in Race 1 their spell worked. Summerbell, anticipating the start of the race, went for his gas pedal after Barry Mayers who was in front of him, accelerated. Barry Mayers then ‘checked up’ and Summerbell slammed into the SX4, before the race started! Summerbell did not start Race 1 and so scored no points. Summerbell’s car received extensive front damage, but both camps worked feverishly (Summerbell’s and Handal’s), using parts from Handal’s wounded Subaru and the car was quickly repaired and readied to destroy the competition in Races 2 and 3.

Race 2

Summerbell was ready in Race 2. Starting from second to last on the grid, the Motor Sales/Total/AMS/ Evo VIII honoured its masters requests and came roaring through the pack. When Summerbell got next to Andrew King he was apparently stunned and in a bid to keep Summerbell at bay, he started asking too much of his RX7 and ran wide. Mark Maloney escaped the onslaught, he drove to victory and Summerbell took second. An excellent result based on where he started.

Race 3

Summerbell lined up second on the grid for Race 3, with Mark Maloney in front. Mark must have known that he was in for a tough time – he is still having nightmares after Dover in May. Summerbell in a ruthless display, released the AMS trained horses and sent them in race mode. Summerbell trapped the bull (Red Bull RX3) and out accelerated Mark to the first corner of the first lap of Race 3! Summerbell did not put a wheel wrong as he raced to the checkered flag while Mark and Andrew King were busy entangling themselves.

Great Feeling

In a post race interview, an obviously elated Summerbell indicated that it was a great feeling to win in Barbados. In a conversation with Gleanerblogs.com Summerbell indicated that the car ran well in Barbados even though it wasn’t the fastest car. When asked about what we should expect in Guyana in November- Round 3 of the CMRC, he indicated that he would like to be “consistently and reliably fast”.

Summerbell did well in Barbados and he is still leading the championship with 48 points (Mark Maloney – 40). Summerbell has the track record in Guyana and if the car remains reliable, Stuart Maloney should contact Fedex to ascertain how much it costs to send the driver’s trophy to Jamrock!

Nb. David Summerbell Jr would like to thank Motor Sales and Services, Total Lubricants, Sean Lashley and Autolink for all the support they have given thus far.

Cecil Munroe Gleaner On-line Writer