The Jamaica Race Driver’s Club winds up its 2007 season of circuit racing at Dover Raceway on Heroes Day, Monday October 15, when in association with title sponsor Cable & Wireless, they will stage the Heroes of Speed event, a tribute to not only Jamaica’s national heroes but the fallen heroes of motor sport as well.
While club president Hilary Jardine will be receiving a national honor for outstanding contribution to circuit racing on the lawns of Kings House, the Caribbean’s premier circuit track will be resounding with the sounds of the rotary engines of Peter “Bull” Thompson and Peter “Zoom Zoom” Rae as they try to stay ahead of the likes of David Summerbell, Doug and Matthew Gore and Pinky McGann, all in various versions of Mitsubishi’s Lancer Evolution super car.
Team Xpress Racing reports that four competitors: Defending IP39 champion Rohan Clarke in a Nissan Pulsar, Julian Gordon in a Volkswagen Golf, Dion Gardner and Andy Williams in Mitsubishi Mirage RS’s are all busy preparing their cars for the big event. The same is true of the Team Mobay Racing camp, as both Doug Gore and Gary Williams will be coming with new, more powerful engines for the meet, after both suffered overheating problems at previous races. They will be joined by multiple race winners Guy Fraser (the humble cane farmer from Westmoreland) and Matthew “The Magnet” Gore, who stole the show at the second and third race meets of the year respectively.
David Summerbell’s Motor Sales & Service Co. Ltd/PPG Paints/Sweet Craft Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution 6 ½ has been returned to Kingston engine builder Stephen Gunter who has set about massaging the cylinder head in search of more useable power from the stroked 4G-63 motor, while across town Stephen Bansie has a 50-50 chance that his engine rebuild and break in will be completed in time for him to compete with his Subaru Impreza WRX in the IP45 and 29 classes, but he is trying his best.
P&L Racing of 2 Osbourne Rd, Kencott, when contacted said that their four (4) car team is ready, as Lisa Lee, who has just about wrapped up the IP35 championship for the second year running, shares a car with husband Paul, with stable mate Peter Jaggon, with improved handling in his Honda CRX and Wayne Wallace, now with more power under the bonnet of his Honda Civic coupe after rebuilding the engine after the car dropped a valve and destroyed the engine at the last meet, will be joined by engine tuner and driver Ian “Swiffy” Galbraithe in a turbocharged Suzuki Swift.
The Bowla clan; Glenford, Coran and Desmond, all in BMW M3s in various states of modification and tune, Sebastian Rae (Mitsubishi Mirage RS), Mike Causwell (Shogun tube-framed Ford Escort) Richard Martin (Datsun 510) and Steve Sirgany (Ford Escort) will face challenges from Dwayne Rowe (20 valve Toyota Starlet), Eric Edwards (Ford Laser), Don Gilbert (Tropical Battery Suzuki Swift) and Team Mack Attack represented by Michelle Delfosse (Isuzu Gemini).
he ten race meet will have a lunch time “Tokyo drift” style sideways driving exhibition put on by Mandeville’s Marcus Barnes, who has prepared a rear wheel drive, turbocharged Toyota Corolla SR5 to match the skillful stunts of 5 time rear wheel drive champion Maurice Whittingham in a Toyota Starlet, with Ivan Lee in another SR5 joining the mix that is sure to drive the crowd into a frenzy. Add to that an auto stereo sound system clash that will entertain as fans feast on the wide array of food and beverages available at the venue. A kiddies zone with rides and attractions for the younger set will run all day to keep them entertained, while exhibits by race sponsors Cable & Wireless/b Mobile and Tyre Warehouse will showcase valuable deals on offer at the site.
Gates open at 8 am for practice and qualifying in the morning session while the first race is set to start at 12.10pm. General admission is $700 with a limited number of pit passes available at $1500.
Event schedule, Qualifying & Race Day, Monday, August 6th, 2007.*
8:00AM Late entry, registration and technical inspection
8:30-9:30AM Practice all cars
9:30AM TRACK CLOSED
9:30-9:50AM Improved Production Qualifying (all classes)
10:00-10:20AM Modified Production Qualifying (all classes)
10:30-10:50AM Improved Production 45 Qualifying
11:00- 11:20 GTS Qualifying
11:30 AM TRACK CLOSED Blessing of the Meet and National Anthem
11:30 AM MANDATORY DRIVERS MEETING
11:45-12:00PM Parade Lap (ALL CARS)
12:10-12:25PM Improved Production, RACE 1 (5 LAPS)
12:35-12:50PM Modified Production, RACE 1 (5 LAPS)
1:00-1:15PM Improved Production 45, RACE 1 (5 LAPS)
1:25-1:40PM Modified Production Classes 2 & 1, RACE 1 (5 LAPS)
1:45-2.15 PM LUNCH
2:30-2:45PM GTS, RACE 1 (5 LAPS)
2:50-3:10PM Improved Production, RACE 2 (7 LAPS)
3:15-3:35PM Modified Production Class 3, RACE 2 (7 LAPS)
3:40-3:55PM Improved Production 45, RACE 2 (5 LAPS)
4:00-4:20PM Modified Production Classes 2 & 1, RACE 1 (7 LAPS)
4:25-4:45PM Alfred Chen Memorial Race GTS RACE, 2 (7 LAPS)**
5:00PM Prize giving
*In the event of unforeseen circumstances the organizers reserve the right to amend, change or modify the Program of Events.
** Subject to Change.
For more information, call the Jamaica Race Driver’s Club office at 931-6665, contact persons Mrs. Forrester or David Summerbell or call JRDC President Hilary Jardine at 339-2511.
Sponsors of the meet are Cable & Wireless Online High Speed, Pimpjuice, Exmil Security Services Ltd., Tyre Warehouse, Guardian Fencing and Power 106, The Auto Report.
– guest article by Dean Corrodus.
