The recent Top Gear Festival in Barbados was a watershed moment for Caribbean motorsports and for one lucky Jamaican fan, Rene Harris, it facilitated a moment she only though possible in her wildest dreams, meeting her Formula One hero Lewis Hamilton.

“When I found out that Lewis Hamilton was going to be at Top Gear Festival Barbados, I just had to go,” Harris told Auto.

The 26-year-old had been well washed in motorsport by her father.

“At the tender age of six, my love affair with motorsports began. I vividly remember attending car races with my dad,” she said.

Admitting to booking hotel rooms based on their availability of Speed Channel so as not to miss any racing, the big Formula One fan transferred her attention from Michael Schumacher upon his retirement to Lewis Hamilton when he entered the sport.

“I had started watching GP2 races and wasn’t surprised when, after breaking all the records there, he was given the keys to a McLaren F1 car in 2007.”

However, even with VIP tickets, she was unable to meet her hero at the Bushy Park venue.

“I was so disappointed that I wasn’t going to be able to see him that I was depressed for the rest of the day. I literally felt my heart breaking,” she added.

Hours later things would change dramatically. Thinking a night on the town would lift her spirits. It did, as she ran into the 2008 Formula One driver’s champion. It took some patience and restraint, but eventually she was allowed to have a moment with him.

“I saw him and shouted ‘OMG it’s Lewis’. We had the greatest conversation about racing and the support he has in Jamaica.”

To top off the whole experience, the following day she had her entire Lewis Hamilton gear, which she had brought form Jamaica with her, signed by the F1 star driver.

“Who would have thought a simple Jamaican girl like me would have accomplished the number one greatest dream in my life.”

— Rory Daley