Key Drivers Ready For Independence Day Speed-Fest

Glenroy Sinclair, Assignment Coordinator

The intensity of the rivalries between Jamaica's top drivers has heightened and the big guns are now ready, anxious and eagerly awaiting the starter's flag, to demonstrate their prowess on the track, when the starter waves his flag and sends them on their way, in the Indepen-dence of Speed Dover race meet.

Qualifying for grid position begins on Saturday, with the meet commencing the following day.

"My Honda Civic is ready, the confidence is there and I am hoping to get the better of Alan Chen," said Kyle Gregg, one of the vastly improved drivers at Dover.

His car is now equipped with wider slicks and new suspensions. Gregg, who will be challenging Chen in the MP2 and Thundersport 1 classes, believes it is going to be a battle down to the wire.

"I am just coming to have fun and enjoy myself with what I have," commented Chen, who recently acquired a Toyota Starlet.

While he has not had enough track time with the car, Chen believes it is very competitive, especially since it is fitted with a S200 Honda engine.

"But I don't know how well it will perform," argued Chen.

In another action-packed showdown, Doug Gore and Chris Campbell have been busy consulting with their respective experts out of Europe, getting private lessons about their cars. Both are gearing up to deny David Summer-bell the chequered flag.

"I am satisfied with the preparation and condition of my car (BMW)," Campbell told The Gleaner yesterday.

Snags smoothed 0ut

He has corrected the problem which dogged him at the last race meet and has sent a message to his fans that the least they can expect from him is a podium finish.

Gore has been going through the paces with his Audi TT, under the watchful eyes of a German expert.

"I have since learned much more about the car and I am feeling more confident now," said Gore, who stressed that it will be now or never for him, as it relates to ending the winning streak of David Summerbell.

They will be contesting the Thundersport Two and MP 3 classes.

"I don't know why Doug (Gore) is putting himself under so much pressure," said a smiling a Summerbell, who has been waiting on the renewed rivalry.

Reports reaching The Gleaner are that the dark horse who is likely to upset the 'big guns' is the veteran Peter Rae, with his turbo-powered RX7 Mazda.

"The only issue we had the last race meet was with my gearbox, the car is running good," said Rae.Other drivers expected to take a piece of the action are the consistent George Bayley, Teddy Burton, Charles Chen, Guy Fraser and Captain Marck Carey.