ELEVEN-year-old Daniel Buchanan is a die-hard fan of race car driver David Summerbell Jr. However, his love for the Totalsponsored racer nearly cost him his life. In an effort to save Summerbell, who was involved in a crash last October at the Dover Raceway in St Ann, Buchanan ran across the track and was hit by an oncoming vehicle.

Six months later, however, Buchanan of Retirement in St Ann is an honorary member of Total Summerbell Racing.

His mother, Caroline Needham, recalled that when health officials revived Buchanan after the accident and asked him if he was okay, he responded: “If David is okay, I’m okay.”

She said Buchanan, who has been attending Dover since he was 10, had sat Grade Six Achievement Test in March at Brown’s Town Primary and was expecting great results.

She said Summerbell had checked on her son and on hearing he was okay, invited him for the Easter meet.

“When Mr Summerbell called and ask me if I could let Daniel come and stay with him at Dover, Daniel started to cry and begged me ‘Mommy, please let me go, let me go this time. Please, Mommy please’. He just loves Mr Summerbell,” Needham said.

Young Buchanan, who said his hands and head hurts sometimes, was speechless and teary-eyed when he met Summerbell.

“I feel good. And I’m having fun. David Summerbell is my hero,” said Buchanan, while seated in Summerbell’s Evolution 8 in the paddock.

Summerbell was happy to add a positive light to the unfortunate incident.

“When the accident happened, I was so worried about Daniel, and I felt bad about what happened. When I found out he was okay, I had to ensure that something good came out of this experience because even though there was a breach of safety procedures, he is still just a little boy. I am so honoured that he holds me in such high regard,” said Summerbell.

Summerbell continued with stressing the importance of safety at the raceway.

“The race meets can be negatively affected by accidents like these. We want to be able to continue the growth of circuit racing here at Dover so everyone can benefit. Everyone just has to cooperate and remain within the set perimeters so that no one gets hurt. We are very concerned about the safety of the spectators as they, along with the drivers, make Dover what it is,” said Summerbell.

Recently, ATL Automotive donated $1 million to the Jamaica Race Drivers Club towards fencing the perimeter of the track to further ensure the safety of the spectators.

“Maintaining the track is costly, but it is important to the sustenance of circuit racing. Without a properly secured track, there can be no Dover racing, and the sport is there for the people,” said Summerbell.