Drag Racing: Andre Anderson stuns Vernamfield!

Do you know the feeling of accomplishment one gets when you arrive at your chill-spot/ friend’s house a few minutes before the ‘boat land’? If you are in familiar territory, you will understand how I felt when I arrived at Vernamfield a couple minutes before the – ‘All Finals’ – announcement was given.

While I was in the process of gathering my equipment and my thoughts, I could hear the mechanical orchestra of the 11 seconds and 10 seconds machines as they completed the semifinal round.

For the 10 seconds semifinals, I heard a name – Andre Anderson. My hard-drive immediately flung a question! Did I hear correctly? And to increase my heightened state of confusion I heard his opponent’s name -  Seymour – of 9 seconds Nissan Sunny fame!

I was at the far end of the parking lot and despite my requests, in numerous prayers, my legs are still not turbocharged, so my pace is still restricted by my ‘not Bolt’ abilities. So all I could do was listen and wait. I heard the usual soulful melodies of 21st century ECU magic, reorganizing/processing fuel, air, spark, timing etc. in preparation for a Seal Team 6-type, clinical assault.

Lost in the sounds of motorized mayhem, I could only create mental images of the two insane machines as they distorted the laws of Physics and rocketed along the 1320ft. So I listened.

After about ten structured blinks of the eye, the crowd erupted in a continuous cacophony of screams, shouts, yells, laughter and general satisfaction, re what they just saw. As I walked along the pit-lane, a fan hurrying back to his crew, said, in a loud voice to his colleague, who was busy tending to a Toyota Starlet – ” A di best race dat fi di day! Mi no need fi watch no more race!”

Yes, Andre Anderson defeated Seymour! And the race I did not see was said to be the best race of the day (insert sad face)!

When the victor’s machine returned to its tent-created pit-bay, the usual swarm of excited fans and curious onlookers could be seen from a distance. When I decided to have a look – I am still a fan – guess who I saw walking towards me? A wide-grinning, all teeth on display, Noel ‘Spy’ Rhone! “A dover this!” he bellowed, which was his way of commenting on Andre upstaging the drag racing stalwart ( Seymour). Never a dull moment with ‘Spy’ around.

Andre had Mitsubishi heavyweights, Cressmore and ‘Damage’ on the payroll as consultants!

The machine, waiting its turn to reorganize the inherent components of the concrete!

Both combatants, organizing their thoughts before boost takes over!

Interest was at an all-time high! Stephen Gunter and family had to exit their 5 star suite (the bus) to grab a better view of the 10 seconds final.

When it was all over, Andre Anderson was The Last Man Standing!

There were many stories which unfolded at Drag Challenge #3, but Andre Anderson’s performance stood out like Beyonce joining a line at Burger King!Andre Anderson won the 10 seconds class!

Cecil Munroe Gleaner On-Line Writer