Expectations high for Dover tomorrow

Glenroy Sinclair, Assignment Coordinator

Meet director Dean Corrodus has promised die-hard circuit racing fans a treat at tomorrow's Heroes of Speed race meet. It is one which will provide excitement, rivalry and mounting tension, which is expected to reach fever pitch at the Dover Raceway, St Ann.

Heroes of Speed is shaping up to be a ding-dong battle in the Thundersport event, among Doug Gore's Audi TT, David Summebell's Mitsubishi Evolution 8, Peter Rae's RX7 Mazda, Chris Campbell's BMW (powered by a high-tech V8 engine), and Alan Chen's Toyota Starlet.

The Heroes Day event is scheduled to get under way at 9 a.m. Apart from the circuit racers, the motorcyclists, led by Adrian Blake, will also be in action.

"From what I saw Peter Rae's car (RX7 Mazda) doing on the track Wednesday, we are in for an amazing event. The cars of Alan Chen, Chris Campbell and Rae are extremely fast and I am expecting either a new track record or these drivers to produce a personal best lap time," said Corrodus, who stressed that the Dover circuit has been well prepared and is in immaculate condition for racing.

Reacting to Corrodus' comment, Rae, who was at the launch of the meet held Thursday night at the Triple Century Sports Bar, New Kingston, St Andrew, said nagging problems have been sorted out. "The car is now frighteningly fast and I have a bellyful for my fans," boasted Rae.

Corrodus is among several circuit-racing experts who believe Rae is poised to upset the apple cart this time around. He will be up against crowd favourites Gore and Summerbell, both of whom indicated recently that they will be going all-out to establish a new track record.

Natasha Chang, the country's leading female circuit racing driver, said "my car is ready but I'm a bit nervous at the moment, simply because I am in a strong position to win the MP1 Class championship. I can't afford to make any mistakes".

Chang said her fans can expect entertaining and aggressive driving as usual, as she takes the fight to her male counterparts.

It has been reported that Charles Chen's car is in tip-top shape and could also be one of the giant killers.

"We have resolved the turbo problem we had at the last race meet. Our goal this time is to try and lower the lap time and maintain the position in the respective classes," said Chen.

Last year's champion driver, Sebastien Rae, has been having some challenges which have impacted his chances of retaining the title. He is contemplating parading his skills at this meet in the street bike races.

The man who is highly fancied to walk away with the 2013 Driver of the Year title is Kingston College old boy, Andre Anderson. "I am leading by 16 clear points and all I need to do is finish on the podium in all my five races," said Anderson.

He had high praises for his sponsors, Total Lubricant and NG Racing, and his Total teammates, thanking them for helping him to achieve another milestone in his circuit racing career.