With the notable absence of Barbados’ Roger ‘His Hotness’ Mayers from this Sunday’s Caribbean ‘Race of Champions’ Meet, Guyanese drivers now have an even better chance to defend home turf according to many knowledgeables of the sport when questioned about the locals chances of doing well in front of the anticipated massive crowd.

Many are of the opinion that Mayers’ Ford Focus that dominated Bushy Park, racing unbeaten in the process would have been a handful for the likes of Andrew King, Mark Vieira, Kevin Jeffrey and others and even though the three outstanding Guyanese drivers are among the best in the Caribbean, Mayers’ straightway speed and consistency might have made it difficult for the trio to dominate.

That now leaves Jamaicans David Summerbell Jnr and Peter Rae, Cayman Islands Andy Bodden and Junior Hydes and Bajans Mark and Doug Maloney as the only obstacles to the trend of home court being advantageous.

In the two previous Meets in Jamaica and Barbados, Summerbell Jnr and Mayers drove unchallenged respectively and the local drivers have been plotting meticulously to maintain that tendency.

The battle for the championship is truly on and even though it would be difficult for the Guyanese to displace Summerbell Jnr at the top of the points standing in the race for the Individual crown, the fact that statements were made by the home drivers in the respective territories that preceded this one, pride and respect will definitely be key factors for inspired performance by the homesters.

Mark Vieira in his Mazda RX 8 20B, Kevin Jeffrey in his Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VIII turbo charged, Andrew King’s – Mazda RX-7 Tube Frame 13B and Paul Vieira – Mazda RX-7 2nd Gen 13B  will have to be in super shape to repel the challenges of  Peter Rae – Mazda RX-7 Tube Frame 12A Turbo Charged (Jamaica) David Summerbell – Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VIII Turbo Charged (Jamaica)Douglas Maloney – Audi A4 Turbo Charged (Barbados) Andy Bodden Mitsubishi Evo Turbo Charged (Cayman Islands), Steve King – Nissan Skyline (Barbados) Mark Maloney – Mazda RX-3 13B Turbo Charged (Barbados) and Junior Hydes – Mitsubishi Evo Turbo Charged (Cayman Islands).

In the race for the country title, Jamaica leads the points standing with 113 points followed by Barbados on 64, Cayman Islands lies third on 26 and Guyana in the cellar on 21.

In the battle for individual supremacy, Summerbell, after copping a second and two third place finishes in Barbados, maintains his lead in the drivers’ Championship after six races, with 50 points and he will be supported by Peter Rae and Andre Anderson.

For more on this story go to:

http://www.kaieteurnewsonline.com/2012/11/07/pride-and-respect-at-stake-for-guyanese-drivers/