CIRCUIT RACING : THE JRDC’S BEST KEPT SECRET ! Part 1

Peter Moodie Snr. was several forks away from finishing his meal -  curried conch. I was still engaged in indecision. He offered his opinion – “Everything here is good” he said. The fact that all of the curried conch had disappeared from its container was ringing endorsement for the words he uttered. I was convinced. I ordered steamed fish.

While I waited for my meal I tried a portion of fried lobster. The cordial, charming chef/vendor was more than willing to speak. She stated that she had no plans to be present at the Independence of Speed, but she was convinced by individuals associated with the event that her menu items would ensure resounding success.

She honored her end of the bargain. She prepared, expecting a large crowd. Her menu items were on point. The food was delicious, but Dover Raceway, Sunday, August 4 was a vacant lot. Where were the patrons? Where were the loyal, speed-addicted, circuit racing-loving fans? It was not a mystery – really.

The signs were abundantly clear. The visually-impaired had no difficulty seeing them in the weeks leading up to the event. The Toyota Wish crept up the partially prepared, marl-strewn road. A white Honda Integra decided against the challenge and decided to try the other route. The approach to the track was not reassuring. Vast empty areas screamed – NO FANS!

Empty areas, that on a typical race-day would be bulging with machines of all sizes and shapes, were now advocating/embracing environmental awareness with knee/waist-high grass -evidence of limited landscaping done. We were not impressed.

INDEPENDENCE OF SPEED

Truth be told, the attendance numbers indicate that the Independence of Speed is arguably the weakest event on the circuit racing calendar. As such, once it is a certainty that the event will be held, it should be understood that the advertising/promotion campaign must be maintained at the maximum level, utilising all of the available platforms, with repeated penetration at the popular media houses. Is it true that the advertisements were dominantly on Mello FM? Mello FM?

I simply could not believe what I was seeing. It was as if word got out that the plague would be at Dover on  Sunday, August 4! You could easily count the cars and the fans present at the track. The hillside was a heart-breaking sight. The main grandstand was dormant, deceased even, an embarrassing  shadow of itself.

It is my view that someone must give an account for the insult we all saw on August 4. The Independence of Speed was the JRDC’s best kept secret.

I read it elsewhere that fans went to the track on Tuesday, August 6th (the day on which the event is usually held) thinking that that was the date for the event.

The leadership of the JRDC failed miserably. There are questions to answer.

KYLE ‘SPEEDY’ GREGG

Despite the obvious shortcomings of the individuals who claim leadership, the drivers/competitors who were present, distanced themselves from the failing politics and willingly revved their built/bought machines. The show had to go on. The drivers ensured that it did. The few fans who were let in on the secret swam in ecstasy each time the machines waged war. Kyle Gregg, with a new lap record in-hand, was at the beach – chilling. The Texaco VIP area was feted with dominance.

More fuel was poured on the K-series vs B-series debate – Oliver Townsend. We will take the requisite time, however, to discuss the exploits of a few drivers who have emerged as the obvious candidates for the obviously now vacant post – King of Dover.

Cecil Munroe Gleaner On-Line