THE Caribbean Motor Racing Championships (CMRC), billed as the top event for motor racing fans across the region, will be without three local giants when action waves off at the Dover Raceway, St Ann on Monday.

CMRC stipulations have ruled out Doug “Hollywood” Gore and motorcyclist Gregg “Tall Man” Cross, while Alan Chen experienced car trouble, rendering him missing in action for the Labour Day race meet.

Gore’s highly touted Audi TT DTM, weighing in at approximately 2,350 pounds, was adjudged too light for CMRC regulations, which require cars to weigh a minimum of 2,900 pounds. Attempts to increase the weight fell short, and unless Gore adds 280 pounds more to the Audi, he will not be able to compete.

He will, however, continue the battle for local supremacy with David Summerbell Jr in other races on the day.

“Doug’s car from the beginning did not conform to the weight required by the regulations in the CMRC,” said Vishok Persaud, CMRC board member and Guyanese Racing Association president.

“He pretty much bought a car that he knew up-front could not compete in the CMRC under the current regulations. There was some discussion about coming to a compromise of 2,826 pounds, but I think this could not work as well,” he told Auto.

“It is very dangerous to change the rules to suit a car, especially without a comprehensive overview,” the CMRC board member argued.

With Guyana being the defending Country Champion, Gore’s omission will definitely affect Jamaica’s chance of winning the championship.

The Labour Day CMRC invasion highlights competitors such as reigning Barbados two-wheel-drive record holder Stuart Williams; 2010 CMRC runner-up Guyanese Kevin Jeffrey, and past two-wheel drive lap record holder, Barbadian Mark Maloney.

Gore, one of Jamaica’s top drivers, does not believe that his 500 horsepower car, now brought up to 2,620 pounds, would give him an advantage over other drivers.

“One of the important things in the CMRC is to try and make everyone competitive. I was already at a disadvantage because my car was unknown and everyone thought it was going to beat up everything. They are asking me to make my 500 horsepower Audi weigh more than David’s 700 horsepower Evolution 8, in order for me to compete; that’s not practical,” commented Gore.

He added that on the racing circuit, safety is paramount, and making that much weight adjustment to the car would create a safety concern.

“Not only is it unfair, it is not competitive and it is not safe for me as the driver. How can I add all that weight without jeopardising me in the car? It’s better for them anyway, now that they have taken me out of the race,” said Gore.

In keeping with the Jamaica Race Drivers Club (JRDC) ruling for local race meets, Gore already added weight to the Petrojam-sponsored Audi, coming from 2,350 to 2,620 pounds, in order to compete in the Carnival of Speed raceday on Easter Monday.

“We tried making the car heavier for the CMRC, but it was not possible to get to 2,900 pounds; we filled the car with gas, filled a metal tray that was attached to the car with tungsten, a material heavier than lead, and the car weighed 2,763 pounds. After all this it was impossible to find 200 more pounds”, Gore disclosed.

Meanwhile defending CMRC Country Champion, Summerbell Jr, sees Gore’s barring as a negative for the country’s participation.

“Certainly it is a negative for Jamaica not having him compete in the CMRC. He is one of Jamaica’s best drivers and with him not being able to represent us and securing points for the country is indeed a drawback,” Summerbell Jr told Auto. “Personally it’s one less race I have to battle with him, but I think he should not give up on speaking to the CMRC board for them to include him. I still think there is a chance,” said Summerbell Jr.

Nonetheless Summerbell is gearing up for the race and is confident that his team’s hard work will pay off.

“We are expecting a lot of competition mainly from Kevin Jeffery and Stuart Williams; those are my two biggest contenders in the CMRC,” he said.

“We also have Doug to contend with in the local races, but we are confident that the work we have been doing will pay off,” he added. “With a little luck we will get enough points for Jamaica, myself and Chris Campbell, Andre Anderson, Peter Rae, George Bailey, Dean Shaw, Stefan Chin, Halquin Rodney and the other Reggae Racers,” Summebell Jr said of the CMRC.

New motorcycle sensation and 2010 Rookie of the year “Tall Man” Cross, who has been very dominant in his racing class, also fell victim to the CMRC regulations. The Suzuki motorbike that Cross has been riding since late 2010 did not meet the racing criteria. Unlike Gore, who will still be competing in the local races this Labour Day, Gregg, who lives in the US, will not even be present in Jamaica.

“It’s not worthwhile for me. It costs a lot to come down and compete, and since my bike doesn’t qualify for the CMRC, I will just sit this one out,” he said. “My sponsors are quite upset, but with their support and the support of my wife, Pamella, I’ll be back,” said Cross.

While perfectly eligible for the CMRC, Chen, the Mandeville magician who has made a name at Dover, will also be unable to compete in the Labour Day meet.

His very reliable 1987 Toyota Corolla GTS will not be ready in time for the Championships, and the Mazda RX7 will be sitting out this race meet. Chen apologised for his absence and promised that the Corolla will be up and running for the next meet. “The Mazda will be sitting out this meet. I tried getting parts for the Corolla in time but they didn’t make it. Hopefully I will be prepared for the August meet,” said Chen.