A closer look at the racing cars that have been specially prepared by the Bajan team for tomorrow's staging of the first leg of the Caribbean Motor Racing Championship, dubbed 'Caribbean Invasion', at Dover Raceway, has had the Jamaican drivers rethinking their strategy.

"When I saw the cars coming off the boat, I realised we had a serious battle on our hands. In fact, it won't be an easy win for us, but we will be competing as a team," said Doug Gore.

This sentiment was endorsed by Jamaica's team member Peter 'Bull' Thompson, who concurred that good teamwork is the first step towards winning. But 'Bull' pointed out he intended to have fun, no matter the result.

Car ready

"The car is ready and we are going down tonight (Friday) to test it," he continued.

On the other hand, a confident Mark Maloney, captain of the Barbados team, said on Friday that he can't wait for tomorrow's event. "I am going to take down all those four-wheel drive vehicles," he said, while pointing out that his car was a "great racing machine".

According to Mark, his brother Stuart, who is the current Caribbean Champion Driver, is mentally and physically fit and is looking forward to competing. The Barbados team is completed by their father, Doug Maloney.

But if Jamaica is to do well in the other legs of the competition in Barbados and Guyana, local sponsors will be required to come to the rescue of David Summerbell, who won the regional championship several years ago.

"Because of the economic crisis, I lost one of my main sponsors, and this will definitely affect me if I am to compete in the two legs overseas," Summerbell said.

The ace racing driver said he has corrected the mechanical problems which affected his previous race meets.

"The car is 100 per cent ready and I am hungry for action," the former Caribbean Champion Driver said.

New engine

Another member of the Jamaican team, Peter Rae, has acquired a new engine for his car and has retained the services of one of the best local experts to assist with the preparation of the vehicle. And this, he feels, will greatly enhance his chances of winning.

There will be 16 races - three of which will be Caribbean Motor Racing Championship events, Hilary Jardine, president of the Jamaica Race Drivers Club, told Automotives.

Jamaica - who are the defending team champions - have come up with a strategic plan to ensure they amass enough points to not only defend the title, but also to snatch the drivers' championship title.

The qualifying race begins today, while the meet officially starts at 10:00 a.m. tomorrow.