CIRCUIT RACING IS BIGGER THAN DOUG GORE AND DAVID SUMMERBELL JR! PART 4 – FINAL

Author : cmunroe

Prior to August 6th, I confidently stated NO DOUG, NO PROBLEM. Obviously I had no way of knowing what was in store for race-day, but, again – professional assumption -  led me to no other conclusion.

Monique’s orders spurred instant response. Machines sprung to life everywhere, revving motors engaged their battle songs. Nicholas decided that a restroom break was necessary before the war – smart chap.

I made my way to the grid. Some time ago it was decided that to heighten the fan-experience, the machines would assume their start-positions along the brief straight leading to Pinky’s Bluff – before the grand stand (this is how it was years ago).

When the IP machines assembled, an IPhone  could not have provided a more accurate picture of the profound commitment and unwavering support that the participating drivers displayed. I spoke to Patrick ‘Flecky’ Ricketts who sat at the front of the grid. I left him alone to focus on his race strategy.

As I walked the grid, I spoke briefly with a few drivers including Nigel Wilmot and Ricardo Scott. But, what struck me and left me more positive-minded than the leader of an optimist cult was the fact that despite all the smoke signals which conveyed that the race-meet was destined for callous failure, the drivers were not swayed – they rolled out en masse!

DEMAR LEE

The IP grid was packed with serious firepower – Sebastian Rae, Matthew Lee, Demar Lee, Senna Summerbell, Sheldon Morgan, Alan Gordon and Nicholas Barnes – to name a few.

And the IP grid was not just a group of numbers. The racing? When the starter was pleased and allowed the green flag to fly, The Purge began! It was a vicious onslaught of man and machine, combustion motors exploring the limits of their valve trains, seeking to advance the interests of their one-track-minded, victory-on-the-brain masters.

The IP races are still the subject of discussion today because passionate battles were fought, beating and banging were explored, it was a door to door affair blended with a tad bit of bump and run, but the episodes were devoid of malicious intent. Essentially, dexterous youngsters at play delivering quality driving which exceeded their years. It was a mesmerizing show for the fans who were present at circuit racing’s hallowed halls – Dover Raceway.

But, it did not end there. Kyle ‘Speedy’ Gregg, with the absence of David Summerbell Jr. and Doug ‘Hollywood’ Gore, who he publicly threatened – shortly after his Radical arrived – should have had an effortless canter to victory.

ANDRE ANDERSON

Apparently neither Andre Anderson nor his TOTAL sponsored Evo received the e-mail. According to all of the reports, Andre Anderson gave Kyle Gregg the ultimate scare. The Evo apparently blazed a ridiculously fast trail that threatened to incinerate the Radical’s  reflective heat tape!

Andre went in defiant pursuit of victory, but, the Achilles heel of so many high-powered Evos intervened – reliability. Kyle was eventually able to successfully arrest defeat and triumph. The estimated 2000 fans were provided with more excitement than that which T20 provides when 4 balls remain, chasing 12 runs!

Circuit racing has had many ‘name-brand’ players and it will have many more. On August 6th, 2018, loyal fans of the sport and a contingent of more than 50 drivers took to the grid and proved with an irrepressible voice that Circuit racing is bigger than Doug Gore and David Summerbell Jr. And that is exactly how it should be!

DOVER RACEWAY – OCTOBER 14 and 15 ! You would be foolish if you missed it! Are you foolish?

Cecil Munroe Gleaner On-Line Writer

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