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

David Summerbell Jr is a still-competing legend of Jamaican motorsports. His very good friend states that he is of the view that under the appropriate circumstances, David could have gone “all the way” – meaning he would have been successful in, for example, F1! That view is shared by a lot of individuals.

TA-1 and the TT-R entered Dover’s corner 1. And like Mad Max – Beyond the Thunderdome – only one could leave – ahead. Summerbell cannot be intimidated and evidently he was not. As the machines came around the corner – the behaviour of crowd at Dover could be confused with that of  animals on the African savanna – they were going wild! Then it became obvious that TA-1 was in front!

To some, a race does not mean much. To others, its meaning, value and significance are immeasurable.

Stephen Gunter

When Stephen Gunter realised that TA-1 had P1, his emotions permeated his entire being. A clone emerged, but, miraculously, with different dna strands. I watched the transformation. The usually reserved, calculating and meticulous in both speech and action – Stephen Gunter was replaced by a vociferous rabble rouser, who like a child at Disney Land or a member of Ding Dong’s Ravers was engrossed in extensive jumping and prancing! His actions  were dictated by the sheer joy produced when he realised his friend, aboard TA-1, was ahead of the TT-R.

ATL

I can recall hearing the Clerk of the Course saying “The race is not won at corner 1″. Cressmore ‘Bolt’ White added that “It can be lost at corner 1!” It was abundantly clear that Race 2 would use all of Dover’s corners to decide a winner! Both machines, with TA-1 a fender ahead, aimed for the ATL decorated corner. Doug Gore, possibly inspired by the ATL logo, inhaled courage and blasted to Summerbell’s left. The TT-R sniffed the wall (memories of Jamwest) – TA-1 maintained the inside line – Bellevue invaded Dover – madness everywhere!

Doug Gore went all in. Summerbell stood his ground. Both machines repeated their corner 1 act. It was oval racing. We were watching NASCAR! Pinky’s Bluff came into view. Doug Gore and David Summerbell are familiar with all the stories that Pinky’s Bluff can account for. October 19th inked a rarely seen but riveting story for the fabled rock! Expectation is a massive burden and Doug Gore, I am fully aware, carries a ton when he enters the TT-R.

On Heroes Day, Doug was committed. He entered Pinky’s Bluff with a determined neighbor – the statesman, Summerbell – who arguably occupied the preferred position. I watched, but I had no gauge for what I felt. TA-1 powered through the gentle descent. The TT-R did likewise, but with more urgency,purpose, stability and poise. And as the corner introducing the brief and abrupt run to the Pepsi hairpin emerged, Doug Gore and the TT-R accomplished the impossible. They passed TA-1!

Soaring V8

TA-1 fans were devastated. TT-R fans were rebels, speaking now in militant but overjoyed tones. Doug Gore snatched TA-1′ scalp and flung salt in the wound by winning the drag race to the Pepsi hairpin! The rest was pure racecraft. The TT-R and its driver became a supernatural force with an impregnable defence. TA-1, even on the back-stretch, researched, but could not access an overtaking response to the soaring V8. When they eventually made their way along the start-finish straight, for TA-1′s final attempt to stave off defeat, the conclusion was already written -Doug ‘Hollywood’ Gore confiscates the crown!

Cecil Munroe Gleaner On-Line Writer