Circuit Racing: The 2011 season begins in April

The year 2011 is purring inaudibly at about 900 rpm. But in April, Easter Monday to be exact, the sleeping giant will be awakened and as if they are immersed in sulphuric acid, drivers will react violently and put pedal to metal as they chase the checkered flag, in the presence of 10,000 piston-possessed motor heads.

A spectacle which no fan of motor sports will want to miss, so pull out your executive diary, put pen to paper and make more than a mental note to self. The road to the trophies, beauty queens, champagne fountain and islandwide recognition is a treacherous one though. The journey is usually fraught with peril, one which is often characterized by parties where disappointment and dejection make special appearances!

Hindsight they say is 20-20, so the astute driver will take the lessons from the 2010 season and if the rapidly diminishing budget allows, prudent, but results oriented changes will be made to secure victory.

With 2 months and days to go before the 2011 circuit racing season begins, the plans for some drivers are in 4th ,5th ,or 6th gear, revving for a respectable showing when the green flag unfurls for the first time (for 2011).

Doug Gore

Reality hits like a hammer at times and despite closing the gap to David Summerbell’s TA1, Doug Gore had enough of being second best and decided to go ‘All Out’. I have not seen the shape or form of the Goliath (race car) he plans to campaign this season, but we will see if his glory days will return.

I spoke to Marck Carey recently and thankfully his determination is still unshaken and he has a plan which hopefully will deliver the redemption his effort deserves.

I made a brief link with Alan Chen on Sunday, to harass him about his AE86 and Bull Thompson’s RX 7. Alan indicated that he has not had 6 consecutive laps in the RX 7 to date and as we all know seat time is invaluable. His focus for 2011 will be the RX 7 and I honestly hope that they work out the glitches and allow the machine to return to its former self – an awesome race car.

I am fully aware that Summerbell Jr will not be resting on his laurels. Other exciting drivers such as Heath Causwell, Kyle Gregg and Andre Anderson are all eager to get the ‘war’ started and when the CMRC is thrown in the mix, magical, electrifying moments await us. As the seconds tick by, April approaches.

Cecil Munroe Gleaner On-Line Writer