CIRCUIT RACING: SUMMERBELL – BULLIED AND BEATEN! PART 4

THUNDERSPORT RACE 2

A different pot of soup took center stage for Race 2! The already minute grid was depleted by 1 – Bull Thompson was m.i.a. So when the green flag flapped its wings, 4 machines thundered towards Corner 1, almost fender to fender – 3 wide on Dover’s start-finish straight with Andre in tow!

Doug Gore benefiting from a favorable grid position, won the race to Corner 1. Kyle Gregg retained P2 and was being hounded by Summerbell. Kyle did not survive lap 1. The Radical was assassinated by TA 1 on the climb to the start-finish straight. As TA 1 went in pursuit of the DTM beast, electric expectation invaded Dover Raceway!

I chose to watch the race from the Tower at the center of the track. I was willing to miss nothing! The Olympics in Rio is in full swing and the Jamaican medals are slowly exiting the foundry. I am certain that if the JAAA had a scout at the Tower at Dover raceway on Sunday, August 7th, several potential Olympic competitors could have been found.

Such was the sprinting from sections of the Tower to see the action on each section of the track! It was humorous and entertaining, rivaling the on-track drama! The fans were openly divided, without shame or remorse! Some individuals were screaming for Doug and the Audi and others were shouting for Summerbell. Motor racing at Dover Raceway!

TA 1

Doug was leading comfortably, but it was evident that with each lap, TA 1 sliced a few pieces of the lead and with the race coming to a rapid close TA1 was within a car length of the Audi! Even thoughts were inaudible! The decibel meter collapsed, an innocent victim of unrestrained interest and excitement.

TA 1 was on a mission. A mission proclaimed by a King. A King that is patient, calculating and utterly clinical in the execution department. We have all seen the King at work and during TS Race 2 his collection of skills was on display!

The gap was now nonexistent. The Esses were behind. TA 1′s intercooler sniffed the Audi’s diffuser seconds before the attack was launched as both machines positioned to erase the start-finish straight. The Audi was ahead. Memories of the approaching inside wall possibly flashed before Doug Gore’s eyes but he pled blindness!

The Audi exhibited rapid acceleration, but TA 1 was now locked in TOTAL ATTACK mode. At the starter’s post, Summerbell gained considerably. TA 1 was beside the Audi, but Corner 1′s distance, like fire to plastic, was disappearing at incomprehensible pace.

TA-1 was not about to yield and we all know Doug Gore is not aware of the word. Time did not allow appropriate decisions to be made and in the furnace of the moment, anti-climatic contact occurred between the two gladiators!

TA 1′s left front slammed into the DTM Audi’s right rear. Did we see bully tactics employed to beat the King? Did the King go for a gap that did not exist? Was Doug Gore following his usual line?

The jury is locked in an eternal deliberation! Attempting to assign fault is a hopeless exercise better explored by individuals who have never worn a racing suit. Clarity exists if you appreciate the fact that when pedal hits the metal ‘ish’ will happen when driven individuals seek the same goal.

Kyle Gregg avoided the pieces from the two wounded machines and snatched P1. Doug Gore insists he did no wrong. But, I will tell you this. Summerbell said he (Doug Gore) moved over!

WHO IS THE VILLAIN?

Race 2 came to an unexpected close. The fans were getting much more than the price of admission. And to think that another Round of the battle was only an hour and minutes away!

Cecil Munroe Gleaner On-Line Writer