Solodex 2 - 12th March 2006
Photography by Narend Sooknarine, Lyden Thomas, Paul Adam, Ryan Peyrau and Duane Boodasingh
Article by Kevin Singh

There’s always something new to see at Solodex, and SD2 was no exception.  The faces were for the most part familiar, but some of the machinery was new, some of it downright scary.  In 2005 the Waddell family introduced us to their ‘Locost’ Lotus Super7 replica, based on ford running gear.  For 06 however, the high-pitched wail screaming forth form the tuned exhaust manifold indicated something far more wicked under-bonnet.

With the Waddells’ creation placed in SS class, all speculation ceased.  The mechanical wizards had installed a motorcycle engine in their lightweight monster.  Rounding out the diverse SS class was another regular face with not so regular machinery.  Tim Kimpton left his popular Caterham 7 behind, and revealed his new toy, a shiny new John Cooper Works Mini Cooper S.  Completing  the class was ‘Ultimate Underdog’ Kirk Ho Hing in '.phper the Friendly Corolla Station Wagon'………….did we mention Kirk’s Toyota was now turbocharged?????  Tim managed to best .phper for top honours, by .729 seconds, and managing best competition time as well.  Unfortunately the Waddells suffered some mechanical gremlins, and were never given the opportunity to show the Locost’s true potential.

The HS class saw the inseparable Kerwyn Charles and Karl Winchester split for first and third by Scott Dopson.  Scott made full use of his carbureted Mazda 323 station wagon, against the Wingroads of the Wagon Boyz.   This three way battle was already spilling over, with plans to have some grudge matches at CARS BYCC in April.

The Rookie class saw Master Zorcerer Narend Sooknarine go one better than his last Solodex result, finishing first in his Mazda RX7 2nd Gen.  Narend found time to wow the crowd with some rear wheel drive powerslides, and one very expensive Goodyear burnout!  Biting at his heels was Anthony Farah in his Honda Civic Hatchback.  Shawn Bridgelal rounded out the top three, in a class of seven.

The smallest constituted class of the day was GS.  With Sanjay Singh missing in action, rookie Alan Rajkumar-Maharaj (aka Zodiaque) stepped into the ring with his 1.4 RWD Lancer, against Kevin Singh’s 1.8 MGB GT.  In the end, Old School triumphed over Older School, as Alan cruised to an easy victory, finishing a comfortable 1.983 seconds ahead. 

Spectators had their hands full trying to keep up with the competition.  One class however, held everyone’s full attention.  Ryan ‘Madcrix’ Ramsaran looked set for another victory in ES, with a seemingly unbeatable tome of 104.805 seconds.  Ryan, not to be outdone by Narend, demonstrated how to flick the back out in a front wheel drive car, while maintaining total control.

Second runner Amir ‘Fabio’ Hosein had two DNF (did not finish) runs, and a 106.633.  Not expecting to do any better, and with Ryan smiling under his Carib hat, Amir decided to enjoy a complimentary Red Bull and just enjoy his final run.  He enjoyed it all the way to a 102.554, with one cone penalty.  Even with the extra two seconds for the cone, Amir still edged Ryan for the win, proving once again that it ain’t over till the Yellow Ignis sings.  With Ryan still in shock, Amir gladly accepted his 1st place trophy, and a well deserved hamper of Kendall 10W30 Synthetic oil for his next oil change. 

With trophies and Kendall oil handed out, it was time for competitors and newcomers to get some wings, courtesy Red Bull, and line up for some fun runs.  Narend’s brother managed to keep the RX7 sideways for most of his runs, and handed the car back with four square tyres.  Ryan, still hurting from Amir’s steal, went out and posted a fun run time of 100.12, motivated perhaps by his female passengers.  Ryan Pinheiro took his wife’s Pug 306 and posted fastest time of the day with 98 seconds. 

The fun runs were clearly not enough when the sun set, so CARS announced plans for a BYCC ‘head to head’ event in April.

Photos: Page 1 of 6