DOVER FACE OFF

It's 'all systems go' for tomorrow's 'Carnival of Speed' at the Dover Raceway, St Ann, when Jamaica's top drivers face off at the first meet of the 2011 circuit racing season. The Easter Monday meet is scheduled to get under way at 10 a.m.

However, today, all competitors will demonstrate their readiness as they race against the clock to qualify for pole positions. This will give motorsport fans a heads-up on which drivers are likely to dominate their respective class.

Hundreds of motorsport fans are expected to cram the Dover Raceway tomorrow to witness the intense rivalry between Jamaica's and the Caribbean's number-one-rated driver, David Summerbell Jr, who will be driving his Total-sponsored Mitsubishi Evolution 8.

"The car is prepared and I am just awaiting race day," Summerbell told Automotives, against the background of arch rivals Doug Gore and Chris Campbell acquiring super machines for the race.

Gore is confident that his new Audi TT DTM will help him to end the winning streak of Summerbell's Evolution 8. But while the two may be watching each other closely, they could be surprised by two other well-prepared cars — the much-talked-about BMW driven by Chris Campbell, and another Mitsubishi Evolution, to be 'piloted' by Captain Marck Carey.

Boosting capability

The veteran racer Peter Rae went shopping and has boosted the capability of his RX7 Mazda, so it would not be surprising if he upsets the apple cart when they all clash in the Thundersport event.

"What a race it promises to be! This meet is going to be a classic," said Hilary Jardine, president of the Jamaica Race Drivers' Club.

In the other classes, the fans are bracing for some superb showings by Kyle Gregg, Peter Jaggon, Brian Foster, Martin Anderson, Alan and Charles Chen, and Teddy Burton.

Also featuring on tomorrow's race meet are the no-nonsense street bikers. The battle for supremacy will be centred on Adrian Blake, Halquin Rodney, Dennis Chin Quee, Dwight Smart, and Greg Cross.

- Glenroy Sinclair