FANS expecting race-car driver Douglas Gore’s return on Heroes’ weekend at Dover Raceway in St Ann will be disappointed as he will not be in attendance.

According to Gore, repairs to his ATL-sponsored Audi TT-R would not be completed in time for the event. He said the vehicle may be back in Jamaica on November 9.

“I’d like to apologise to my fans that expected me to be at this Dover meet. I also want to thank my sponsors for hanging with me… But I told the ABT [the German repairers] guys that it didn’t make sense to return the car the same way,” Gore told Auto.

In May, the Audi TT-R was involved in an accident requiring it to return to Germany for repairs from its builders, Team ABT Sportsline.

“ABT had a request from one of its European customers to upgrade the body style from the original MK1 TT, to the newest shape, and they offered it to us as well,” Gore explained.

The major change will be visual as the Audi TT-R will now have the shape of the street-legal Audi TT.

The upgrades are not just about appearance, as the change will come with significant aerodynamic advantages and a revised suspension system.

“It’s also going to come back more powerful. We noticed an engine issue in our last few races and ABT was able to diagnose, solve, and advise us on how to stop its reoccurrence,” Gore said, adding the engine was sent to United Kingdom Engine Developments Ltd — better known as Judd — to be overhauled and retuned.

Gore said given the modifications, he will have to be retrained to handle the vehicle.

“I’m still headed to Germany to be trained on the new upgrades. Once that’s completed, the car and I will be back stronger and better for the 2013 Dover season,” he said.