Andrew Tate’s irascible DC2R

Years ago it was generally felt that drag racing was a reckless endeavor which appealed to boy racers and the street racing crowd. But, like most stereotypes, close inspection reveals a totally different picture. The existence of organized drag race events at a raceway built to provide the requisite expression of speed, in a safe, controlled environment, dispels the notion that drag racing is an irresponsible enterprise and it also ensures that racing has its home on the track.

When you think of professions, a dental hygienist and a race car driver are planets apart. But reality is often times stranger than fiction and in the case of Andrew Tate both professions are irrevocably intertwined. Andrew Tate is an erudite, calm, meticulous dental hygienist any Monday to Friday, but when the sun gives way to darkness on Friday evenings, Dr Jekyll (Tate) reveals the side he would prefer to Hyde.

Tate

Competitors in the 13 seconds class at Jamwest (Feb. 27th) had a rude awakening when Andrew Tate’s, Vibes Racing built, DC2 R, was released through the gates. Sporting a shortened exhaust with flared ends, its boisterous approach scared the crankshaft out of a few machines and prompted unforced errors from some drivers.

The Machine

Andrew Tate has been in the business of machine demolition for approximately 5 years and during that time he has fine tuned his art. Qualifying led him to the 13 seconds class and after 4 or more races he erased all around him. While watching a video of one of the races on Myrie’s Blackberry, I was reminded of the earsplitting, heart thumping scream, the R motor would divulge, when it was being punished by its victory demanding owner – Tate.

With the precision his day job requires, Tate completed the diagnosis of his competitors and proceeded to eliminate all and sundry, including heavy hitters from the all wheel drive, high horsepower division. The machine was incorrigible. It maintained the blockbuster – 2012’s theme – it was a cataclysm! Its demeanor was colored unruly. Tate is adept at manhandling his DC2R, but while engaged in its rapid pursuit of dominance, the high strung motor bounced repeatedly off the rev-limiter in 2nd /3rd gear (Myrie’s Blackberry can confirm).It is rumored that a slaughtered Scooby Doo (Subaru) is still searching for a lost bone – the 13 seconds trophy!

Flexing its muscles!

When I went to speak to Tate by Moosangs place on Shortwood road – the machine was getting its spa treatment – a soap and water massage. It occurred to me that it must be exhilarating to an extreme degree, when your machine can be a merciless, trophy-collecting, giant killer at the track on Sunday and then embrace ‘wifey’ in its snug Recaro’s for a relaxing cruise in air-conditioned comfort. Machine!!!

Cecil Munroe Gleaner On-Line Writer