Montego Bay’s Festival of Speed: Ironshore Tarmac Sprint #3

Montego Bay is home to a thriving ‘fast car’ culture. It is also home to numerous ‘name brand’ drivers. Drivers who have left indelible marks on countless trophies. Names which rev to the fore include: ‘Stratty’ King, ‘Chippie’ Addison, Dean Corrodus, Maurice Whittingham, Junior ‘Fletty’ Barnes, Matthew ‘the Magnet’ Gore, Doug ‘Hollywood’ Gore and undisputed maestro of race car ballet – Richie Rerrie.

Ironshore is one of those places which the average Jamaican hears about, but rarely visits. For those blessed with the gift of knowledge, the name (Ironshore) instills images of opulence. An after- church, Sunday evening drive through the neighborhood, will confirm that Ironshore is a place where wealth assumes omnipresent attributes.

Motor racing and wealth have an uncanny relationship. But like Charlie and his Angels, peas and a pod, fuel and an engine, smoke and fire – they are inseparable. Some of the best races are held in the backyards/ vacation spots of the ridiculously rich. F1 has Monaco, we have Ironshore!

On Sunday June 19th , Montego Bay’s best machines will be hammered mercilessly, without regard or concern for engine longevity, as heartless drivers seek to cheat time. The Ironshore Tarmac Sprint has a reputation built on frightening speed. A victory snatching time can only be arrived at when ‘the balls of steel’ commitment approach is adopted.

Fletty’s Bay Wata machine

The unique layout of the Ironshore circuit serves to enhance the viewing experience. Ideal spectator spots along the start-finish straight, guarantee uninhibited gusts of adrenalin, as drivers responding to the urgent requests of the speed junkies, blast towards the hairpin to attempt their version of the Scandinavian flick! The driver line up I have seen should deliver an exorbitant amount of excitement – enough to keep the internet vibrant for weeks!

I read somewhere that Jeffery Panton will be ripping the asphalt at Ironshore. But when I spoke to him, he indicated that he would not be in the building (sad face). But, I am not perturbed. Disappointed, yes. But, enough snipers from the rear wheel and all wheel drive special forces will be in attendance and they are more than capable of raising the temperature in the second city to smelting point!

Cecil Munroe Gleaner On-Line Writer