Circuit Racing: Doug ‘Hollywood’ Gore confiscates the crown! Part 4

Author : cmunroe

Monday, October 19, 2015. The wait was over. Doug ‘Hollywood’ Gore was ready. Continental links gave the DTM machine a Beyonce-type Upgrade. It had a thorough test at Jamwest. The test at Jamwest revealed interesting findings, chief of which was Doug’s improved level of competence aboard the machine. The time-slaughtering, ego-bruising twitching and at times snap oversteer aspects of the machine’s profile were absent.

What was present, however, was a DTM Audi TT-R that was brutal. It straightened Jamwest’s corners and reduced competitors to rapidly receding objects in the rearview mirror. It did all that and more at a leisurely canter!

Brown’s Town

TA-1′s pre Heroes Day’s testing confirmed that it was also ready. Like Pavlov’s dogs we salivated. At Dover, it was evident that an event of monumental proportions was awaiting its descent. When the machines rolled out for Race 1, the entire compound was wrapped in a rapture. The anticipation which breached the hills was both visible and tangible in Brown’s Town! Constant chatter and raucous laughter pierced the air as the machines did their left-right dance during warm up.

From my restricted vantage point I could not tell when, which lap, if any, it happened, but I heard TA-1 rather loudly, diving cylinder-deep into a stutter-trance. To TA-1 fans, it must have been heart-rending. The quick-fix remedy from the pit-lane attack crew was pointless. DTM Audi -1 TA-1 – 0!

TA-1

I overheard an intake manifold-based explanation for TA-1′s Race 1 no-show, so when the machines rolled out for the second edition (Race 2) I was uninterested. From a tent in the pits, I decided to listen. The roaring machines confirmed that the race had begun. I was still at the tent.

The shouting, screaming, blend of high and low pitched voices confirmed that war was being waged in earnest. TA-1, when in race mode has a distinct, checkered flag sound. I heard it as the machine climbed the ample rise before it ambushed the start-finish straight. It was 10/12 lbs of boost deep into the chorus of its speed-initiated song. Wastegate on fleek, the notes it struck were captivating.

I ran towards a truck (pick up) and jumped in, to get a glimpse of the machine. TA-1 was contemplating court action – a victim of accelerator abuse – it barreled towards corner 1. I was too late.

The paddock resembled a scene from Mad Max. Cars strewn everywhere and no one in sight. I could hear myriad raised voices and elevated cheers. The commentators lost their professionalism. They went beserk. Their words struggled to keep pace with TA-1. When they realised what was in occurrence they chose the best option – to remain quiet and just watch history unfold!

Cecil Munroe Gleaner On-Line Writer

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