Dexterity: Wet surface + rear wheel drive cars = FUN!

When you hear a term, a word or a phrase for the first time, it always amazes me how often it recurs. How many people knew what an economic recession was before 2008.Now that we know everything about ‘the recession’, we take comfort in blaming our sorry, indebted, poverty stricken reality on it.

The End Game

Possibly following too close on the wheels of the Heroes of Speed race meet at Dover, Dexterity 5 felt the long reach of the recession (I am doing what everyone else does – blame the recession). Dexterity 5 – The End Game, held at Jagstrip Motorsports Park (Oct.25th), wasn’t as well supported as the organizers would have hoped, but I wasn’t interested in the spectator turnout. I went to see a bit of ‘slipping n sliding’ and when I went to the pit area and saw the impressive gathering of old school weaponry I was pleased.

In this form of motorsport, rear wheel drive is king and over time, several individuals have emerged as formidable warriors as they direct a sliding, maniacal machine between and around cones, arranged to pose a challenge and provide entertaining viewing.

An interesting course was designed by the organizers. There were two lanes, at either side of the rectangular area (one for each car), and the cones were appropriately positioned to create numerous twists, turns and a few 360’s buried within.

Preparation

Preparation is key in motorsports and it was visible in the pits. Tyre pressure was monitored constantly, handbrakes were adjusted, fuel, oil, etc. checked after each run. Maurice ‘Whitty’ Whittingham’s preparation ritual was unique. After each run he would detail the Starlet! A wipe off/wipe down/rub off, completed in minutes, to give it its usual pristine but ferocious look. Considering that the track/course was kept wet, which meant splash streaks and water all over the car, one would be tempted to question his sanity. What is his philosophy? “Is a mental thing! Keep it clean, it will perform better”, he remarked. He outlined that your car treats you in a similar fashion to how you treat it. That may help to explain why he is so good. His car loves him!

The competitors were kept busy during the numerous runs which I saw and there were interesting scenes and matchups. For example, Herbie (VW Bug) vs a Mercedes Benz, female vs male quad riders, several front wheel drivers pulling the life out of their handbrakes, coercing them to turn and the never ending battle for rear wheel drive supremacy.

Whitty is obviously on a different level and others around him know this. After hitting a tyre and a cone during his run, a competitor came over and explained that his mistakes were made because he was nervous. Witty the tutor, informed the student, that it was normal to be nervous –“ Being nervous is not a problem, just stay focused”.

Ivan ‘The Terrible’ Lee

Ivan ‘The Terrible Lee’ gave Witty a good fight on each run. Driving a Corolla SR5, Ivan Lee kept within striking distance on each run and forced Witty to keep his game face on. Ivan’s pressure was a blessing in disguise, for all of us who were watching. Whitty’s Starlet, with enough negative camber to make his tyre supplier rich, had to dip into the upper limits of the 20 valve’s rev  range and often times beyond, as we heard it bouncing off the(rev) limiter. The Starlet clung tightly to the cones, as Whitty knifed his way through the course, in Ken Block-like, dramatic fashion. Ivan’s stellar performance drew appreciation from his team and the fans present and it forced Witty to perform at the level we have come to accept.

Unfortunately, I could not stay for the championship round, but I left not the least bit disappointed, but instead inspired, having thoughts about resurrecting a little project.

Nb. After the event I found out that Ivan Lee had a better accumulated time than Witty (winning Run 1 and 4 –out of 4) and he also won the championship round with a 1:52.895 to Witty’s 1:53.675.Congratulations Mr. Lee, it was a pleasure watching the SR5 hanging it out there !

Cecil Munroe Gleaner On-Line Writer