Close contests promised for Easter Monday

Glenroy Sinclair, Assignment Coordinator

Despite the absence of Doug Gore from this year's Easter Monday meet at the Dover Raceway, St Ann, the struggle for supremacy seems to be getting more intense as rival drivers prepare to do battle. The meet takes place on April 21.

"This meet, my 'Zoom Zoom' RX7 Mazda should be flying," bragged Peter Rae. But David Summerbell has said the condition his Mitsubishi Evolution is now in has given him mammoth confidence. "We went testing last week and the car was running well. We ran it for long periods and it was so consistent. But we still have a few more things left to do before race," Summerbell said.

Though he has been absent from the winner's enclosure for some time, Chris Campbell has issued an early warning that he and his BMW will be no pushover next week Monday. "I am one driver that they should always watch for. We have been ironing out the issues with the car and it has become more reliable. We will be testing it today; after that, I can do a lot more," said Campbell, who believes he will have a good season this year.

George Bayley, who will be competing in the same class as Summerbell, Rae and Campbell, is a man of faith who believes that with God all things are possible. He has done his homework and is now trusting in that faith to upset the apple cart.

"There will be two serious clashes on the programme. Andre Anderson will be challenged by Alan Chen, while Natasha Chang will have Kishmore Williams to deal with," Charles Chen, president of the Jamaica Race Drivers' Club (JRDC), said.

big plans

Chen, who has big plans for the sport, said his team has invited a group of overseas drivers from the United States to the Easter Monday meet, for them to see what Dover has to offer. He further disclosed that the JRDC is currently engaging with a team of drivers in Puerto Rico, inviting them to come and race at Dover.

"We are taking a business approach to improve motorsport at Dover," Chen told Automotives.

The meet has been dubbed the Texaco/Techron Carnival of Speed race meet. Meet organiser Dean Corrodus, who spoke at the recent official launch of the event, said preparations are at 95 per cent.

Monique Gibbs, JRDC's communications director, announced that four lucky persons, including a driver and spectator, will each walk away from the meet with a ticket to Barbados' Top Gear meet in Barbados in May. She also said that JRDC has forged a relationship with the Jamaica Automotive Association in order to spread the message of safety on the road.

There will be a business class section at the Carnival of Speed.