Driver of the year – finally!

As stated in an earlier blog, we are living in rather difficult times, but the game continues and fun has no stopwatch! The 2013 calendar was not as busy as we would have hoped but there was enough activity to maintain our motorsport interest. The JRDC staged its usual 4-race season, there were several dexterities, a few rallies here and there and thanks to the NDRC, drag racing experienced a much-needed revival.

The driver of the year, in my view, simply based on the fact that there were not many ‘races’ in the various disciplines, had to display a repertoire of skills. The driver of the year had to demonstrate his prowess in his chosen field of expertise and also in other areas he attempted or participated in.

It should be pointed out that there were stellar performances throughout the year. Doug Gore, despite his rebellious stance at one of the events at Dover Raceway, where he chose not to participate, as a sign of protest, kept his eyes fixed on the Caribbean Motor Racing Championship and did what was required to secure the championship.

Daryl King from the Montego Bay-based King stables, is definitely making a name for himself in rallysport and he had to deter stern opposition to ensure that when all was said and done he was the last man standing. I am still of the view that a lot more needs to be done to make Rally Jamaica the spectacle it should be.

I went to several of the Wet and Slide and other dexterity-type events. Say what you want about Christopher ‘Teach’ McFarlane, but his ability behind the wheel cannot be overlooked. He shone at the dexterity events and even when confronted by the ‘Magnificent Duo’ -  Cleve ‘Cutta Hype’ Ottey and Jamar, he held his nerve and made his boss proud.

I am still searching for the driver or team that stood out in drag racing, but I will settle with the emergence of the BadBreed Racecraft Mustang. This is a machine which took a decade to hit the track and when it did, the potential for superior performance was evident for all to see. But my focus is not lost.

The JRDC had a rather interesting year, but on these pages, politics is not the order of business. The races were competitive and the cream, despite the fierce rivalries, rose to the top. David Summerbell Jr is the King of the Hill, that  remains unquestioned, but the new guns are shooting straight from the hip and they show no mercy when given a window of opportunity.

Andre Anderson is an emerging phenomenon and he is definitely one for the future. He dealt with myriad challenges, my favorite being that  which was presented by the LueBoyz ‘Banana’ with Noel Golding Jr behind the wheel. Fans got value for money in 2013 at Dover and Andre Anderson accepted his due reward. Overall Champion Driver! Big driver!

Circuit drivers are known for precision and consistency and not many actually venture into the drag racing arena with aplomb. But that is what Andre Anderson did at the most recent NDRC event. Andre Anderson, not only entered, but he blew everyone out of the 10 seconds class. Fans of the sport who were fortunate and witnessed his performance, still talk about the Andre Anderson-led slaughter at Vernamfield! The fact that he entered a discipline that he was not familiar with, but through utilising his inherent abilities and absorbing valuable coaching from stalwarts in the field, Cressmore ‘Bolt’ Whyte, Damian ‘Damage’ Allen and others, he was able to eradicate the opposition and climbed to P1. Superb performance!

So without further ado, it gives me great pleasure to present the Driver of the Year -2013 – Andre Anderson! Big Driver!

What is in your motorsport wish bag for 2014?

Cecil Munroe Gleaner On-Line Writer