Dover revs up for 25 years
The Jamaica Race Drivers Club (JRDC) hopes to end the 2015 circuit racing season on a high note with the Total Lubricants Heroes of Speed at the Dover Raceway in St Ann, next Monday.
The event, which was launched at ATL Volkswagen’s Oxford Rd showroom in Kingston on Tuesday, will also see Dover Raceway celebrating its 25th anniversary.
“We are expecting a full house,” Monique Gibbs, JRDC director, told Auto.
The launch paid homage to track founder Alfred Chen, whom the club described as someone that Jamaican motorsports will always be indebted to.
A packed programme of 14 races awaits patrons venturing to the track this coming Monday. On the cards courtesy JN General Insurance Company Limited (JNGi) is a cash prize of $50,000 for anyone that can break the current lap record of 1 minute 17.019 seconds set by Doug ‘Hollywood’ Gore last year. Gore is confident that his Audi TT DTM is capable of resetting that record after repairs and enhancements earlier in the year.
“I just need to change the suspension from what I used at JamWest,” he explained.
Gore pointed out that the Audi has undergone some weight reduction in its present trim, which will aid in braking and acceleration.
Before Gore took the record David Summerbell Jr, in his Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution, held it. And the fan favourite isn’t taking the challenge lightly.
“We’ve done a lot of little things in testing and preparations,” he said.
Regardless of the outcome, Summerbell can be happy as his main sponsor Total, has recommitted to his team for the next three years.
“I think we’re a perfect match,” he said.
Fans can show their support for either Gore or Summerbell by purchasing the appropriate colour Dover 25th anniversary shirt. Gore threw down the gauntlet at the press conference issuing a ‘no red-shirt’ initiative for his fans on race day.
Kyle Reynolds spoke on behalf of the bikers.
“We have four new racers in class B and several returning class A riders,” he explained.
Natasha Chang, JNGi brand ambassador, explained that the motorcycles are included in the lap record attempt.
Beyond the celebrations Total Lubricants Heroes of Speed should see plenty of action as various drivers, such as Kyle Gregg, try to cement their class leads.
“I’ll be defending my title, however since I sold my circuit car earlier this year, I’ll be using Samantha Summerbell’s Honda Civic as she’s away,” he said.
