Rae is Driver of the Year

Glenroy Sinclair, Assignment Coordinator

Circuit racing driver Sebastien Rae isn't an underdog anymore.

The former St George's College schoolboy, who gave up football for motor racing, registered a career milestone when he wrapped up the drivers' championship at Dover Raceway on Heroes' Day.

He started the day on 71.5 points, third behind second-placed Kyle Gregg, 76, and leader David Summerbell on 80 points. By the final event of the day he was locked in joint first place with Summerbell on 95.5 points.

With tension mounting about who would take the 2012 Driver of the Year award, Gregg, Rae and Summerbell needed to score maximum points. "I knew I had to win my class for me to have a chance, likewise David (Summerbell)," said Rae.

Before the end of the race, Summerbell's Mitsubishi Evolution 8 developed a gearbox problem and he bowed out of action. Then it was time for young Rae to celebrate. He ended up as not only the 2012 Driver of the Year, but was also the Driver of the Meet.

"I could not have done this without my sponsors," the 30-year-old businessman said. At four years old he was introduced to motorcross by his uncle, Peter Rae. Later on he got involved in go-karting. Sebastien then went to England where he learnt more about the sport.

"Motor racing is like an addiction. With the adrenaline rush, you get the same feeling in every race," said Rae, who was once a member of an all-preparatory football team which went to the Miami Classic championship. According to him, he also represented St George's College in the under-13 inter-school competition.

Rae's eyes are now set on winning the Group Two championship of the Caribbean Motor Racing Championship, which he currently leads on 44 points.