3rd. AutoSport Drags 2001 - 22tnd April 2001

Article by Duane Boodasingh with points by Garvin Ramdial
Photography byDuane Boodasingh and Daren Dhoray

The Karting Association staged another successful daylight event at the Center of Excellence in Macoya. Rains, threatening to put a damper on the day's activities, actually livened up the action as drivers tried to keep their machines on-course through the wet track.
Spin-outs, bumps and pile-ups on the track make for bad lap times but they make for great spectator fun and with a little advertising the Karting Association could see capacity crowds at these events.

As a spectator's sport, karting delivers, but the multitude of motorsport enthusiasts in Trinidad & Tobago don't seem to know this, as the crowds at karting events are limited to close friends and family of competitors at most.
A total of 22 competitors took part in this event as there were 3 light races, 3 shifter races and an endurance race carded. Top runners in the points standing 100cc light class were #007 Shameel Mohammed, #51 Michael Bernard and #69 Gary Hunt who all fought hard for their placing.

Shameel's kart suffered some minor mechanical problems in the first two races: a loose steering wheel and a jammed x-cable in the in the first and second races respectively, but he managed to blow away the field in the final race as he got everything sorted out.
Micheal Bernard managed to capitalize on the misfortune of Shameel and got two
1st places and one 2nd place. Bernard proved to be a promising driver and a very keen competitor.
In the light class Gary Hunt seems to be having a bad season. In this event, at the drop of the flag and into the first turn his brake pedal hit the floor and caused a pile up on the course. This didn't go through too well with the competitors driving behind him, but some managed to avoid this and went on to complete the race.

Also in the light class the ladies were represented as there were 2 female drivers, Diane Singh and Simone Bhopa. A large contingent of youngsters, namely Shainder Singh, Richard and Marc Mohammed and Hollis Bhopa, are soon going to challenge the front runners.

Ravi Singh, who topped nearly every race he competed in, is dominating the 125cc-shifter class. The other competitors kept on his heels but couldn't claim the checkered flag. Daryl Ali in the first race put up a challenge as Ravi had to deal with a spin out but in the final 10 feet Ravi passed Daryl for the victory. These intense battles for places are common in karting as the karts are small, the track is tight and one small spin could mean the difference between first and last place as ten drivers pass you before you can regain your orientation.

New comer to karting, Ainsley Lochan, enjoyed himself thoroughly as he settled into the groove of things. Much cheaper than his Tommi Makinnen edition Evolution VI, the karts proved to be just as much fun on the track for him.

Vernon Martin, a very committed driver spent a lot of time sorting out some problems with his kart, but he never gave up as he managed to compete and complete every race he entered.
Always having his equipment up to scratch and trying his best at all events, Andy Ali shows improvements in every event, and continues to fight his way through the pack.

The final endurance race called for all karts in all classes, with the shifters starting at the front of the pack, having to drive around the course once, and then trying to pass all the other drivers to collect the flag. This was the most interesting race of the day, as Shameel in his100cc light class drove his life away to gain a fair lead of the 125cc karts and went on to win this race. After the race, Ravi Singh in his 125cc shifter said that if he had one more lap he would have been able to take hold of the lead. Well, we can always talk about the one that got away, maybe the next event will see Ravi and Shameel duking it out in another bout of endurance karting.