THREE days ahead of Sunday’s race meet at JamWest Speedway in Westmoreland, the new and certainly improved Audi TT-R DTM was unveiled at the dealership’s state-of-art showroom in New Kingston yesterday.

The occasion also marked a reuniting of race car driver Doug Gore with his super machine since its collision at the Dover Raceway in St Ann in May last year.

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“It’s been nine months since I’ve been behind the wheel of this wonderful machine,” said Gore.

In his presentation to the audience, former lap-time record holder said he thought his career would have ended with the crash. However, the ATL Group and his sponsors have been very supportive.

“We will be champions again,” he said.

The Audi was flown to Germany to be repaired by the hands that crafted it, ABT Sportsline.

ABT’s instructions were beyond a simple fix-it job.

“They were told to return a competitive car, or sell it,” Gore told Auto.

Adam Stewart, ATL Automotive’s CEO, thanked Jamaica for accepting the brands his company sold and shared his commitment to being number one.

“The move into the automotive sector for our group had been a solid one. It is something we chose to do, and wanted to do it differently,” he said.

“When we took over Audi brand [in 2010], 14 units were sold per year. Last year, we sold 174 vehicles,” Stewart said.

He used the opportunity to laud race car veterans David Summerbell Jr and Peter Rae. He said the Thunder Sport class would again be buzzing with excitement with Gore’s return.

The overhauled Audi has been made to look like the current generation. Under the skin, engine power has been upgraded, as well as suspension.

“A lot of the changes came from what ABT saw and data captured on local conditions; so it should be even faster than before,” Gore told Auto.

ABT’s input has gone even further for the 2013 season indicating their confidence in the Audi TT-R.

“ABT reduced their parts and labour costs as part of a sponsorship package for us. Their sticker will be on the car this year,” Gore said.

Other sponsors include Boom Energy Drink, Rainforest Seafoods, and Sherwin Williams.

On its race debut this weekend, ABT DTM race engineer Franco Chiocchetti is expected to be in attendance to ensure the car performs at its optimum.

McFarlane takes over the organisation’s reins from Captain Marck Carey, who has held the position since December 2011.

McFARLANE… I want to improve spectator, competitor and sponsor participation. (Photos: File)

“I was nominated. I accepted and ran unopposed,” McFarlane told Auto.

The JRDC is responsible for circuit racing, primarily at Dover Raceway.

McFarlance, who is no stranger to motorsport, unveiled a 10-point plan to build on the foundation left by the previous executives.

“The first six are improvements. I want to improve spectator, competitor, and sponsor participation. We must strive to increase communication in all areas of the club and with our external partners,” he said.

He also wants to see talent within circuit racing get boosted through previously unused channels.

“The Jamaica Millennium Motoring Club (JMMC) has the option to bring FIA (Federation Internationale de l’Automobile) professional training to the island and we’d like to exploit that to raise the level of our hardworking marshals,” he said.

With JamWest Raceway in Westmoreland now ready for its first full season of racing, McFarlane sees this as a chance for drivers to move ahead as well.

“I’d like to change the image of the club from primarily promoting Dover events to one more of developing drivers and the sport in general.”

Christopher McFarlane driving his Mitsubishi Lancer in a recent competition
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McFarlane plans to put forward mechanisms to lower costs to teams while increasing competitiveness.

The 2013 JRDC executives include: Norman Minott, vice-president; Don Thompson, treasurer; Monique Gibbs executive secretary; Cressmore White, Silbourne Clarke, Raymond Donaldson, Captain Marck Carey.