Renewed rivalries at Dover

Dover has never failed to deliver some keenly contested and nail-biting finishes. After yesterday's qua-lifying session, thousands of motorsport fans will journey to the quiet, farming community in St Ann to again experience the thrills and spills of circuit racing.

The starter, Paul 'Soljie' Clayton, is expected to flag the first event at 9 a.m. It will be a gold rush for the chequered flag throughout the day.

Only a few seconds separate the 'big guns' in this afternoon's stellar event, the Thundersport II Class. Doug Gore, David Summerbell Jr, Christopher Campbell and Peter Rae have all boosted the power of their well-prepared racing machines, the question on everybody's lip is, who will win?

"Doug Gore is my driver but I don't think he has learnt how to manage the Audi DTM TT yet, so I think David Summerbell will win. It will be interesting to see which one of them qualifies on pole," said Richard Jackson of Sam Bull's Wrecking Service.

Ardent motorsport fan, Hartley 'Squid' Campbell, said he will be putting his last dollar on Summerbell.

"The four-wheel drive and turbo charger on Summer-bell's Mitsubishi Evolution 8 will give him the advantage to accelerate out of the corners and leave Doug [Gore] behind," argued Campbell.

Raj Jadusingh, scrutineer and chief technical official of the Jamaica Race Drivers Club (JRDC), is cautious about his prediction.

"I believe it is going to be a battle down to the wire among Summerbell, Campbell and Gore," said Jadusingh.

Jadusingh said, based on the work that Gore has done to his car, he may now have the best opportunity of turning the tables on Summerbell and company. He said he also recognised that Gore has corrected the problems with his braking system, which may make a difference.

"We are yet to see the true potential of Campbell's BMW which, of all the big cars, is the one more ideally suited for Dover. If the car is ready, then he may be the man to beat Summerbell and Gore," Jadusingh added.

In speaking with Automotives, Gore said, "It is now or never for him."

Summerbell is brimming with confidence. Campbell said he was "aiming for a podium finish".

Kyle Gregg, Teddy Burton, George Bayley, Alan and Charles Chen are among the other drivers expected to dominate their respective classes. Meanwhile, the showdown among motorcyclists will involve Stefan Chin, Adrian Blake and Dennis Chin-Quee.

- Glenroy Sinclair