Drifters steal the show at Dover!

Blame it on ignorance or lack of exposure, but, the name Mercedes does not bring to the fore, the same sport-car, supercar, ridiculously-fast, fun to the nth degree image, that another race-proven marque, for example, Ferrari, Corvette and company would. Today, fortunately, we reside in a village which has benefitted from the tentacles of globalization and as such, even though the visual experience might slip through our grasp we have access to information.

So, I am usually late to the game, but did you know that the 2014 SLS AMG Black Series boasts the most powerful road-going V8 that Mercedes has ever built? Yes sir! The machine rocks a 6.2-liter V8 that soars through an 8000 rpm rev range while 622 possessed horses attempt to distribute 468 lb-ft of torque! It goes without saying that this machine can hit the 190mph without leaking a drop of sweat. Would I love to have it parked in my non-existent Portmore garage? Sure! But wait, there is a problem. Is there a philanthropist residing at an undisclosed location on ‘the rock’ who would be willing to drop US 296,950 at my door? If he exists send me an e-mail. Thanks.

I have a duty to serve motorsports enthusiasts and I try my best to honor that responsibility. I stated in an earlier blog that I was of the view that drifting would be a most welcome addition to the regular circuit racing program at Dover. I was elated when I learnt that a team of drifters from the ‘land of the free and the home of the brave’ were given the task of baptizing the Dover petrol-heads.

I was at the track on Saturday (May 24th) for several reasons, but I must admit that I was nervously anticipating what would unfold when the drifters rolled out for their practice session. I saw the machines earlier and if what the eyes captured mirrored reality, I thought to myself that I was in for a treat. I was not disappointed and I left the track Saturday evening thinking that the fans would have an unforgettable experience on Sunday, which was only a few hours away.

The day came (Sunday). The weather appeared temperamental and it was a talking point during the drivers meeting. Larry Henriques and company made adjustments to accommodate the unpredictability of the atmospheric conditions. The battles expected on the track played their role and the crowd which was growing by the minute began to feel the momentum of what was to come.

Drifting, as I have said before is not new to Jamaican motorsports fans, but it was new to Dover in the format that the Ter-Tech team would unleash. When it was announced (drifting) and the machines cruised to their photo-shoot, before the main grandstand, the anticipation floating through the fans present was tangible! The photo-shoot ended and the machines rumbled to the Pepsi hairpin. LS motors have a grumbling problem. When the accelerator is blipped just a bit, LS machines, almost as if protesting, grumble in a deep, but stimulating manner. The fans understood and when the machines took their formation, grumbling, and the S2000, packing boost plus VTEC, eager not to be overshadowed did its boost-sneeze, approval could be heard from as far as Salem!

One of the Ter Tech LS inspired machines!

The first runs were done, one machine at a time – from the Pepsi hairpin, through Pinky’s Bluff and up the hill, to corner 1 and exit on to the start-finish straight. The machines fish-tailed before Pinky’s Bluff, then darted towards the grand stand, then reorganized their forward motion to introduce rotation, with the driver now steering by looking through the non-existent door-glass – steering ‘locked’ to the right – full lock – rear wheels sharing kisses between grass and asphalt, clipping the reverse apex and blasting up the hill to corner 2 – all the time masked in shredded Achilles tyres – pandemonium engulfed the grand stand!

I did my best to inform you, so if you were not present, you have one individual to blame – you! The drifters did not only deliver a show, they delivered a memorable spectacle and left indelible tire-tracks in the minds of the Jamaican motorsports fans. They, for the most part were approachable, sociable and willing to entertain drift- related conversations with persons who had myriad questions. Ter-tech brought drifting to Jamaica and for that we are grateful! Much love to the JRDC, Nu Gen Motorsportz and anyone else associated with the effort.

Cecil Munroe Gleaner On-Line Writer