Glenroy Sinclair, Staff Reporter
Peter 'Bull' Thompson leads in the GTS race ahead of David Summerbell, during action from Monday's race meet at the Dover Raceway, St. Ann. - JUNIOR DOWIE/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
DRIVING LIKE a man possessed, the 55-year-old Peter 'Bull' Thompson, one of the country's oldest circuit racing drivers, brought the house down with another scintillating performance at the Dover Raceway, St. Ann, on Easter Monday.
Displaying true spirit, determination and superb driving skill, 'Bull', as he is affectionately called, came from behind with his small but powerful white and blue RX7 Mazda to upset David Summerbell in his red Motor Sales Mitsubishi Evolution car.
"I feel very good. I enjoyed every moment of the race meet," the veteran driver said.
Despite Thompson's memorable performance, it was Summerbell who registered the most wins for the day. He took the checkered flag on four occasions.
However, the level of competitiveness between the latter and 'Bull' Thompson had the over 3,000 spectators fidgeting from one corner to the other, as they kept their eyes glued to the event.
With clenched fists pounding the air, the fans, which included hundreds of females, screamed their heads off as the cars raced bumper to bumper while negotiating the sharp corners.
HOT PURSUIT
In the second GTS event, the tall, dark, clean-shaved, bald-headed Thompson, who hails from May Pen in Clarendon, started almost at the back of the pack and as soon as the pace car departed the track and the starter waved the green flag, Summerbell assumed the lead, with Thompson overtaking a line of vehicles, in hot pursuit.
Challenged by a gear problem, the task of winning looked impossible at one stage as Summerbell kept going and going. With about three laps remaining, the crowd erupted in loud shouts and cheers as Thompson overtook Summerbell in the deep Nankang Corner.
"When I realised that my gear linkage was broken I was not sure if I could win the race again. But as soon as I got the opportunity to overtake I did and immediately opened up a lead," said Thompson, whose car was dogged with mechanical problems.
After the event, a smiling Summerbell said the crowd support was overwhelming, but some of the top cars were unable to compete because of mechanical problems.
Other successful drivers of the day were Peter Rae who drove a DHL Mazda RX7, newcomer Rohan Clarke, Terry Hyde and Raj Jadusingh.
The winners of the bicycle sections were Oneil Samuels who took a double, Oneil Sinclair and Michael Daley.
