Circuit Racing: Which machine should replace TA-1?

Barbados will host the CMRC brigade in September. Words being exchanged in local motorsports conversations suggest that the Reggae Racers will fly the Jamaican flag without one of our most dominant racers in the modern era, David ‘King’ Summerbell Jr, behind the wheel of his once reliable steed, the AMS built ( originally) Mitsubishi Evo VIII, affectionately known as TA-1.

It should be pointed out, from the onset, that the comments made here, do not attempt to belittle the effort which will be made by the Jamaican contingent that will represent us. We wish them well and I will ensure that they receive the exposure and appreciation that they deserve. Hailings Peter Rae!!

But, it cannot be overlooked that the King has not been his usual triumphant-self for some time now. Fans of both the King and the sport are far from happy with the current state of affairs!

Motoracing is a cruel beast at times and TA-1 has been plagued by a plethora of gremlins, which raise their rather unwelcome heads at the most critical of times!

The most recent occurrence saw the King at less than his best at Jamwest – the parts bin did not have the requisite weapons to stage a respectable assault on the German Hammer. TA-1′s lack of race-readiness allowed Doug Gore to smear the circuit with TA-1′s heart, liver and kidneys! It was TOTAL devastation!

We are also fully aware that TA-1 is for sale and the fact that we want to see the King return to reliable, winning ways, we cannot be blamed for wondering – Which machine should replace TA-1?

When Doug Gore went shopping for TA-1′s assassin, he included Peter Moodie Jr in the Think Tank. They acquired a ‘real’ racecar and its performance and rock-solid reliability cannot be questioned- well there was that ‘little’ incident with an even more solid Jamwest wall- but I digress!

The essence of my story lies here. Doug Gore sits atop the mountain, observing the minnows below who are attempting the treacherous climb. He chose the DTM route. If we accept that only a ninja can kill a ninja – should David Summerbell Jr be conducting drone excursions in Germany? Or should he simply ask Peter Moodie Jr – Which machine can obliterate Doug’s Audi?

I want to see Doug Gore challenged on a level playing field, possibly with similar weaponry! But that is just my view. Which machine do you think should replace TA-1?

Cecil Munroe Gleaner On-line Writer