Drag Racing: Rise of the machines – Raceday

Drag racing fans and competitors (drivers) could not hide their anticipation even if they were travelling in a sealed section of the Stealth bomber! Their lust for speed was as obvious as a Japanese contingent at Stone Love’s popular session ‘Weddy Weddy’. So like an ant to sugar, they descended on Jamwest Speedway.

What test and tune lacked in numbers, in terms of machines present, race day –Sunday repaid the debt tenfold. Sections of the pit area resembled Trafalgar Road in New Kingston at 5:30 pm on Fridays – it was packed! The machines rolled out and honored the title of the event – Rise of the Machines.

The traffic jam meant that there was a lengthy qualifying session and racing in the respective classes did not begin before 3:30 pm. This led to some persons being a bit disgruntled. When racing finally began, a spectator I spoke to complained that she was bored. I explained to her that the excitement factor would increase when the quicker machines entered the arena.

Real Machine

When the ‘real machines’ came through the gates, they blessed the occasion with ear-splitting, adrenalin-inducing displays of their tire shredding capabilities, as each driver went through his pre-launch (race) routine. When the racing slicks met the liquid solution (water), which was placed lovingly before it by a teammate, the driver would approve the union by discarding the clutch at the tuner determined rpm. The violent wheel rotation, the steel band sounds, the flames exiting the tail pipe and the resulting tire smoke rising to the aqua-blue sky was a feast for hungry fans. The roar of the crowd could be heard in Negril! I would then ask my previously bored friend – Still bored? I am still hearing her infectious laugh.

A section of the pit area.

Don’t think he has a boost problem.

I was impressed with this DC5R -best time -13.5!

Not your typical RX7- LS V8 Power!

Cecil Munroe Gleaner On-Line Writer