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First blood to Gore - Summerbell Jr, Rae suffer mishaps at Dover

Published:Sunday | April 7, 2013 | 12:00 AM
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Smoke spews from David Summerbell Jr's Mitsubishi Evolution 8, after the turbo failed during the second MP4 race at Dover Raceway on Easter Monday.
Doug Gore in the Audi TT has a clear lead on David Summerbell Jr.
Peter Rae keeps a positive attitude despite the day's mishaps.
Doug Gore leads the pack in the MP4 clash.
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Doug 'Hollywood' Gore and his ATL team drew first blood on David Summerbell Jr and the Total Lubricant Camp at the Shell/Helix Carnival of Speed race meet, held at the Dover Raceway, St Ann, on Easter Monday.

But as both drivers prepare for next month's rematch, Summerbell Jr has sent an early warning to Gore and his team - that they better go back to the drawing board or else.

"Doug has not broken my track record and I am advising him to go back to the drawing board from now. He needs to improve because we will be back, much better and stronger. It is going get more serious," Summerbell Jr warned.

Hat-trick of wins

No way, says Gore. "We don't need to go back to the drawing board. I am convinced now that this car can run 1:18 seconds consistently," argued Gore. After registering a hat-trick of wins on Monday, the Montegonian was later disqualified for breaching the tyre rules in the second MP4 race, leaving him with two official wins.

"I was denied the hat-trick, but the next race meet I am coming for it," said Gore.

The day began with non-stop excitement. In the opening Modified Production Class 4 approaching corner one, Gore assumed the lead with Summerbell and Peter Rae in hot pursuit. Then the Audi slipped the field to pull off a convincing win.

By the start of the second MP4 race the crowd had swollen to over 4,000 persons and the patrons were hungry for more action, waiting for the rematch. It happened, but ended prematurely.

Gore took the lead again, chased by Summerbell and Rae. The latter picked up a skid and spun off in the chicane, then Summerbell's Mitsubishi Evolution 8's turbo failed. Hence it was smooth sailing for the Audi TT, which looked unbeatable.

"In the first MP4 race the car never felt good. The second MP4 race I spun out and in the Thundersport II my differential exploded," commented Rae, explaining the poor performance of the Shell/Helix sponsored RX7 Mazda.

The rivalries between Natasha Chang, Sebastien Rae, Kyle Gregg and Alan Chen had the fans screaming. To top it off, reggae artiste, Sizzla Kalonji had the crowd eating out of his hands, dishing out hit after hit.

- GS

Photos by  Errol Crosby