Neil Gore

Hundreds of motorsport fans are expected at Dover Raceway, St Ann, tomorrow, to witness the showdown between the country's top drivers, who are aiming for selection to represent Jamaica at the Caribbean Drivers' Championship.

The first race of the event - dubbed Carnival of Speed - is scheduled for noon.

"It is going to be a battle down to the wire because everybody wants the opportunity to compete in the regional championship and only four persons will be selected," said Hilary Jardine, president of the Jamaica Race Drivers Club (JRDC).

The race meet will see some changes as the JRDC has decided to run the Modified Production Class 2 and Improved Production 33 classes separately.

But while the big-name drivers such as Doug Gore, David Summerbell, Peter 'Bull' Thompson, Guy Fraser and Chris Campbell are getting ready to 'war' on the track, motorsport fans will see the return of 63-year-old Neil Gore, who chose to come out of retirement for the meet.

Gore, racers Doug and Matthew's father, was offered by his sons what he considered to be his best birthday gift ever — an opportunity to compete in the IP27 Class with Doug's Mitsubishi Evolution 10.

"This is a wonderful birthday gift," said Gore, who celebrated his birthday on April 7. No stranger to Dover, he was class champion in 2000 and 2001. Prior to that, he also represented Jamaica in golf and badminton.

"If the car is well prepared, then I will be very competitive. Otherwise, I am just going out there to have fun," said Gore.

Exciting meet

In the meantime, racers were anticipating an exciting meet.

"It has to rain for Doug (Gore) to beat me. If it does not, then I don't see how he is going to beat me," a confident Summerbell told Automotives.

'Bull' Thompson, who was seen at the track earlier this week, said his car was ready but there were still minor problems to be sorted out.

"This meet is shaping up to a very exciting event and, as usual, I will be coming out to have fun," said Thompson.

Doug Gore said he was looking forward to the challenges of both 'Bull' Thompson and Summerbell.

Peter Rae had been busy adding the final touches to his RX7 Mazda, while there were reports that the Bailey brothers - Robert, Tony and George - were seen testing last Sunday. Richard Martin has installed a new engine in his Datsun 510.