By Johan Laubscher
The annual Carnival of Speed took place at Dover in Jamaica this
weekend. The event marks the first big circuit racing event in Jamaica each
year. It was also the long anticipated return of Doug Gore and the ATL Automotive ABT-Audi
TT-R at the Dover circuit.
Gore suffered a hefty crash at Dover last May, which
required an intensive rebuild of the car in Germany, subsequently costing Gore
and the team their entire remaining 2012 season. The team and the car are
back and they were victorious at Jamwest Raceway a few weeks ago. Thus they
were in high spirits as they arrived at Dover.
Some of the teams competed at Jamwest Raceway a few weeks ago, where
Doug Gore dominated the proceedings, more can be read about that event HERE.
However the only big guns at Jamwest were Gore and Peter Rae (Mazda). The big
talking point remained this meeting at Dover when the “King”, David Summerbell,
would also be in attendance. Summerbell competes with a Time-Attack based Mitsubishi
Evo which has proven to be the car to beat for many seasons, a very potent
machine.
Gore and ATL arrived at Dover determined to repeat the success of Jamwest.
The Audi had been entered in two sets of races: Modified Production Class 4
(two races - five and seven laps) and Thundersport 2 (one twelve lap race). He
was immediately fast during practice and set pole position ahead of Summerbell.
Race day dawned on Easter Monday and the scene was set for another
clash of Gore versus Summerbell. The first MP4 race got underway with
Summberbell getting the jump off the rolling start and taking the outside line
into turn one. Gore was able to use the inside line to maintain the lead and a
battle ensued between the two. Summerbell kept Gore in sight but the Audi maintained a constant pace and crossed the line to take
victory.
Following the two MP4 races the final race of the day was the twelve lap Thundersport race. David Summerbell did not make it out on track for the day's final race which left Doug Gore alone out in front as he claimed another victory on the day.
However, as the day came to a close in Jamaica the news emerged that Doug Gore was disqualified from the second MP4 race of the day. The disqualification was due to a technicality surrounding his use of tires.
More information:
Jamaican Tuner on Facebook
