Top Gear for Gore

Glenroy Sinclair, Assignment Coordinator

Doug Gore has got an opportunity of a lifetime, to demonstrate his superb driving skills to the world on the track with renowned Formula One race driver Lewis Hamilton. Because of this, Gore - the Caribbean's champion driver - and his Audi TT will be absent from Dover Raceway on Easter Monday, April 21, when the local 2014 circuit racing season begins.

The Montegonian will be joining Hamilton and a star-studded line-up of motorsport standouts, alongside the world-famous Top Gear presenters, at the Top Gear Festival in Barbados from May 17-18. It will be held at the brand new 2.2-kilometre-long Bushy Park circuit.

Top Gear airs on British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) television.

According to the topgearfestivalbarbados website, Lewis will show his driving skill in a Mercedes Formula One car, while legendary drivers from Global Rally Cross will entertain the fans who are expected to turn out in droves. The website further outlined that people like Jeremy

Clarkson, James May and Richard Hammond will take part in a non-stop schedule of motoring events, which will see The Stig and key members of the Top Gear Live Stunt Driving Team taking the track in a series of thrilling stunts, races and challenges.

"There is no way I could let this opportunity pass. This is a lifetime opportunity, because the festival will be televised in the United Kingdom and the United States, and it is a good time to show off what Jamaica has to offer," Gore told Automotives last Thursday afternoon.

He said the Audi leaves the island on Tuesday for Barbados and will remain there after the Top Gear Festival for the first leg of the Caribbean Motor Racing Championship, which gets under way next month. Gore is unsure about his specific role at the festival. "It seems like a surprise, but the reality of just being on the same track with Lewis Hamilton is an opportunity," an excited Gore stressed.

Newly elected president of the Jamaica Race Drivers' Club, Charles Chen, has given Gore's blessings. "It is a good opportunity for him to be a part of the Top Gear show. I have spoken to him and the club is now looking at how we can capitalise on this," Chen said.