Circuit Racing : The King is back!

This article was written over a year ago and it is relevant today for two reasons : 1. David Summerbell Jr is in an excellent position to take the drivers title in the Caribbean Motor Racing Championship (with 1 round remaining in Guyana –this month)

2. Persons have posed the question – Will the King be dethroned?

I found the question rather uncanny, bearing in mind that David Summerbell Jr was kept subdued at the races for some time, until he acquired his AMS monster. I also understand the context of the question – will he be defeated now that he has TA1.

The King is Back! David Summerbell Jr.

Motor racing is not known for being sympathetic to the ambitions of drivers. Your God given driving ability, skills and race-craft may surpass those made available to seven- time Formula One World Champion, Michael Schumacher, however, when the green flag is waved, if you are not strapped in a well-oiled, reliable and competitive machine, it is highly unlikely that you will be drinking the victory champagne at the end of the race.

This (motorsports) is one of the areas in which the workman, in this case the driver, can actually blame his tools. You only need to watch Formula One for a few seasons to get an understanding of my view. Success depends to a large extent on the coming together of several factors, including car, driver and yes, team. In this mix, the driver is not necessarily the most important factor. Modern technology which fuels the pace at which the modern race car develops or evolves (think evolution) is largely responsible for promoting a few drivers to motor racing’s Hall of Fame and sidelining to also ran, drivers who were previously front runners. It is now an accepted fact that you must have the right package to win races, that and a little luck – no, a lot of luck.

Dejected

David Summerbell Jr. affectionately known as King David, has neither had the right package nor a little luck for some time now. I remember sitting in the tower at Dover at a previous event and while watching one of the races in which David was competing, I could not help but observe the actions of and listen to the comments being made by a particular young lady. For the first two laps of the race David was doing well. He stayed with the leaders and made a few attempts at overtaking. The young lady was busy running from one side of the rectangular area to the other, as she followed David’s car around the track, all the time urging her driver on, as if her future depended on the outcome of the race. In the heat of the battle, David’s car lost power approaching the Pepsi hairpin. The now dejected fan, took several steps back from the wall and said with disgust – “I hate that car, it always breaks down”. As I silently shared her pain, I watched as the young lady left the Tower. She did not return.

David Summerbell Jr. is arguably one of the best drivers the region has produced and he achieved this recognition solely based on his exploits and numerous victories in various motorsports disciplines. But, plagued by a series of dnf’s (did not finish) and mechanical gremlins, David has found access to victory lane a rather difficult task.

The King has been unable to please the masses and this created royal discomfort. Good Kings listen and respond to the needs of the people, that’s how revolutions are avoided. David Summerbell Jr. not only listened, he listened intently and did what any leader worth his salt would do – honour the wishes of his subjects.

That said, David decided to rid himself of his fleet of race cars and acquire something special-one that would assist him to return to winning ways.

TA1

The news travelled faster than a hungry man to an all you can eat buffet. What was the good news? David had successfully acquired the American Motor Sports (AMS) racing Time Attack Mitsubishi Evolution VIII ( known as TA1). This machine has won more awards than Lil’ Wayne at the 2008 BET Music Awards. A machine propelled by, if necessary, 600 plus horses (at the wheels), which result in speeds approaching the 200 mph. There was only one question mark. Could David deliver on the machine’s promise. The confident king slept peacefully.

The Caribbean Motor Racing Championship (CMRC), Round 1 held at Dover raceway in May 20008 answered all of the remaining questions. During qualifying, David and his new steed welcomed the beginning of his resurgence with a 1:20:3 to record the day’s quickest time.

Power and Control

Race day was no different. Watching the highly tuned machine, in the competent hands of David Summerbell Jr. was a sight for sore eyes. Power and control were on display but the entertainment factor did not go unrepresented, as every now and then, when David’s right foot eagerly caressed the accelerator, to deliver a greedy wish, the machine would respond by breaking free at the rear wheels, resulting in a spectator pleasing drift when exiting specific corners.

The King’s might was felt by all of the brave challengers. David won 2 hotly contested battles and was robbed of a third victory in the final race by mechanical gremlins.

What does this mean for the other drivers with championship ambitions? I will give you a hint – The King is Back!

The young lady I referred to earlier, who was fuming in the Tower when David’s car broke down, is his daughter, Samantha Summerbell. I am certain her smile has returned, now that her father, her hero, is adequately equipped to restore lost family pride and reclaim his position as the Caribbean’s number 1 driver.

Cecil Munroe Jr. Gleaner On-line Writer