David Summerbell’s new race-car?

Where do I begin? Think about this. Jeff Gordon began his NASCAR career in 1992. We are currently trying to mine riches in the year we refer to as 2015! Jeff Gordon began his career 23 years ago. The gentleman, who has won NASCAR’s most coveted trophy 4 times, has not missed a race in 23 years!

He has driven enough laps to complete the journey to the moon – literally! When you think of everything that can possibly go wrong during that time frame and then accept that he has had 789 consecutive starts – that is beyond belief! He earned NASCAR’s Iron Man title on the weekend and each time I think about what he has accomplished, I am accompanied by unbridled respect for him (Jeff Gordon).

TA-1

Agenda item number 2 – TA-1′s replacement. Now that I think about it, David Summerbell Jr must be a candidate for circuit racing’s Iron Man title. He has been an active driver at Dover Raceway before Alfred Chen and company built the track! It would be interesting to see how many events he has missed since he began competing (at Dover). Peter Rae, like a recurring decimal, maintains an obvious presence as well. He could be compared to the ‘Fox’ in the 80′s martial arts movies – been there, done that – aging but dispensing wisdom and deadly when recklessly approached! Two stalwarts of the sport who are still competing and winning – when Doug Gore allows them to!

I digressed. Lane retrieved. That fellow, Doug ‘Hollywood’ Gore is creating mayhem in TA-1-land. What was once thought to be an invincible beast, with a yet to be utilised time attack mode, has been exposed and found wanting. Fans, like ants who have lost the scented path, are undergoing undue stress and unavoidable trepidation.

They are yearning for days when the King’s machine will remain Audi R18 E-Tron Quattro reliable and fast. Doug Gore has learnt how to manipulate his machines abrupt and unforgiving tendencies. And the fact that his machine now boasts time-shaving aerodynamic aids, he is currently adept at securing victories and lap records. Translation – More misery for the King’s fans as an obliteration of the current lap record at Dover Raceway is a realistic possibility in October!

The inevitable is upon us. TA-1 came and conquered. But as fate would have it, it has been dethroned by that which Doug Gore sought and bought. Has it been dethroned? Denial? October is around the hour!

In the land with the progressive motorsports agenda – Barbados – a docile beast resides. When awake, Stephen Gunter informs me there is nothing in the Caribbean that can steal its thunder (including TA-1). It consumes asphalt for breakfast. It chews competitors for lunch, swallows them for dinner and enjoys 2 scoops of checkered flag for dessert. It is insane, existing on a psychopath’s plateau!

The wheel has been invented. The evidence is overwhelmingly convincing. I do not think we need Peter Moodie Jr’s consent. Think about a machine with this dna. And then think about it cresting the hill and disappearing along Dover Raceway’s start-finish straight! Do you see the DTM Audi TT-R anywhere?

David Summerbell\’s new race-car?

Cecil Munroe Gleaner On-Line Writer