Two-day drift for Dover
IT will be two days of racing for the Jamaica Race Drivers Club (JRDC) Seaboard Marine/Total Lubricants Heroes of Drift and Speed scheduled for Dover Raceway, St Ann, October 19 and 20.
“We will have qualifying on Sunday morning, and three afternoon races. Then on Monday, there will be a full programme of 12 races,” Monique Gibbs, JRDC director, told Auto.
Gibbs was one of several officials at the JRDC Seaboard Marine/Total Lubricants Heroes of Drift and Speed launch held at the Sports Development Foundation offices on Phoenix Avenue in St Andrew on Thursday.
The added attractions for the holiday weekend race meet are the return of the Ter-Tech Drifting Team and the appearance of two Radical racecars.
Harri Tervola, head of Ter-Tech team, makes his second trek to Dover Raceway, this time behind the wheel of LS7 powered BMW rumoured to be making over 600hp. He’ll be joined by Bill Stenger in his 240SX that impressed earlier this year.
The Radicals will be making their debut on Jamaican soil courtesy of Driver Success. The pair of Radical SR3 RS is to be driven by US-based Jamaican Taj Alvaranga and Radical factory driver Englishman Tom Drewer. Powered by 1500cc bike engine, putting out 300hp, these lightweight purpose-built machines are expected to provide excitement in the Modified Production Class One/Two and Thundersport.
“We’re hoping to introduce them to Jamaica, especially for young karters looking to step up into the higher ranks of racing,” said Alvaranga.
While they have never been tested at Dover, Alvaranga feels that performance should be similar to that achieved at Bushy Park in Barbados.
“I’m looking forward to racing against them given what I saw in Barbados,” racer Peter Rae said.
With all the extra speed expected, the JRDC has been slowly making modifications to the circuit to ensure maximum driver safety. According to the JRDC’s Silbourne Clarke, the club has upgraded corner one to a full gravel run-off and added extra tyre barriers to corner seven.
Even with all the big names on the entry list, this meet is all about Andre Anderson, who leads both Modified Production Class Three and overall drivers’ championship.
“I have a comfortable points lead and wouldn’t do anything to jeopardise that, but I will try to finish as best as possible.
Both Doug Gore and David Summerbell Jr have been speaking to the media through their team mechanics David Bell and Garnett Johnson, respectively. Both have indicated massive rebuilds for the upcoming meet should their drivers have a head-to-head battle.