Drag Racing: Dean Shaw silenced? Part 3

Thanks to Apple’s device which is smarter than I am, I had the opportunity to capture both the visual and audio components of the historic encounter which unfolded on NDRC’s chosen surface to settle speed-disputes, the concrete at Vernamfield.

The significance of the bout was possibly a fleeting concern for some, but to a large slice of the drag racing fraternity, the race had monumental implications. Pride, reputation and bragging rights – priceless, even if you have a Master Card – were at stake. But, context, illuminates and provides clarity ! The clash we witnessed has been brewing longer than Red Stripe beer! But, unfortunately, it has been on and off more times than a streetlight!

So, when all the obstacles were vanquished and both machines were finally at the ‘line’, adorn in battle-garb, preparing to resolve the contentious debate – which machine is faster – drag racing fans were overcome with emotions – victims of eager, nervous and hopeful anticipation! Unlike the Mayweather and Pacquiao fiasco, both machines were actually ready to rumble!

Drag Challenge#2

Dean Shaw’s arrival at Drag Challenge#2, his qualification and impressive pre-race burnout, convinced even his most ardent detractors that the threat was real. BadBreed Racecraft, on the other hand, courtesy of a muffled/failed burnout, showed disconcerting signs. But, the crowd was unconcerned – the machines, the drivers, the smart-phones, the rabid fans present and the surrounding foliage were all ready. The lights on the ‘tree’ screamed GREEN!

If you blinked you would have missed it. I was standing closer to the right lane – BadBreed’s preferred lane. As it prepares to rewrite the laws which govern Mathematics/Physics, when it is in ‘stage-mode’, BadBreed’s Mustang does what I will refer to as a ‘lurch and hold’ routine. It is as if it squats inorder to restrain all of the 1000+ horses which Nantwi has on the payroll! And when Adrian ‘No Slouch’ McLymont smells the green light, the machine when released, enters an alien realm!

Dean Shaw possibly blinked, because he missed it. When the green lights embraced the warm Vernamfield air,  the Mustang erupted like a vengeful volcano, ferocity blared from its eight cylinders and the intense violence it dispersed gave birth to supersonic departure!

Like an inattentive student, Dean Shaw was unprepared. He failed to anticipate the Mustang’s fury and time-warping capabilities. What he saw moments earlier, his opponent, to his right – a huge, rectangular chunk of purpose-built metal, wrapped in a distinct, red hue and stamped Ford Mustang – suddenly, after several green lights flickered, became a rapidly-disappearing, faint, red mist. Mist that he was forced to chase.  A chase which his confused, constantly colliding thoughts, sought to inform him was futile.

And even though he made a concerted effort to sidestep that which was preordained, he was eventually forced to concede that on May 17,2015, the ‘Red Donkey’ was simply too fast for his bullish Camaro. The BadBreed Mustang employed Krazy Glue, maintained an arrow’s path and with a missile’s accuracy it dismantled the finish-line ahead of the stunned, breathless Camaro. The only available outcome embraced Dean Shaw – defeat!

Cecil Munroe Gleaner On-Line Writer