In Jamaican motorsports - as in motorsport everywhere - lighter weight equals better performance, and better performance often requires some creative intervention.
Like taking a '96 BMW M3 chassis and cutting, welding and re-fabricating it around a Mitsubishi Evo VIII power plant. Yeah, you read right. Champion race driver (2009 series) Chris Campbell, who actually dethroned the legendary "King" David Summerbell on his way to the top of the podium had the challenge of retaining a certain cc-rating at a particular weight, a feat which wold have been impossible on the BMW engines currently available - not to mention the cost.
The answer?: the sleeker, more efficient and more affordable Evo engine.
So, after some six months of brutal hard work and tender loving care, Campbell emerged with this sporting hybrid, this Teutonic-Japanese mashup done as only Jamaicans truly can.
And who should be Campbell's corporate patron in this endeavour? Jamaica Beverages which, through its Frutabrand (as well as Busta sodas and Turbo energy drink) will be seeing the motoring ace through the balance of the 2011 season (Campbell took 2010 off), the next outing being the "Caribbean Invasion" at Dover raceway over the Jamaican Labour Day weekend (as of this Friday).
A public launch session at the Michi Super Centre retail outlet on the outskirts of Kingston, media, racing enthusiasts and Jon Q public had their opportunities to gawk at the " fusion car" and get info on the process and the prognosis.
So, will this hybrid racer lead Campbell back to the winner's podium? Time will tell, but his experiement is sure to arouse interest among manufacturers and enthusiasts around the world.
Heil - Sensei!
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