Rae revved up by Hamilton chat

Glenroy Sinclair, Assignment Cordinator

After spending a few moments with 2008 Formula One World Champion Lewis Hamilton at the Top Gear Festival in Barbados last weekend, Peter Rae is ready to show the full capability of his Epic-sponsored RX-7 Mazda at Dover.

"It was a fantastic event, and after watching Lewis Hamilton in action and having a brief chat with him, I am pumped up and looking forward to a successful race meet this weekend," Rae told Automotives on Friday.

One of the most consistent and longstanding circuit-racing drivers at the Dover Raceway in St Ann, the lanky Rae recalled how frustrated he was at the Carnival of Speed race meet held there last month.

"Because of some technical issues, I was able to take the track for only five laps in the final race of the day, which was the Thundersport event. It was very frustrating for me," said Rae, who has been to the dyno with his car a few times since that event.

Rae, who has been competing at Dover since 1989, said the RX-7 Mazda is showing some promising signs. Today, he has Chris Campbell, David Summerbell, Heath Causewell, Charles Chen and George Bayley to contend with when the starter sends them on their way in the Thundersport Class II event.

In his quest to take the chequered flag, Rae believes his biggest threats are Summerbell, Bayley and Campbell, who are currently enjoying good form.

The only deficiency in this class will be the absence of Matthew Gore from the line-up. Reports are that a prominent circuit racer has expressed an interest in acquiring Gore's Mitsubishi Evolution 10.

"It is for that reason why we have taken a decision not to race the car, which we have been asking $4 million for. We were trying to get the Starlet ready for Matthew to compete with, but we did not have much time," commented Doug Gore, Matthews' old brother.