T&T Daniel Ramoutarsingh races GT1 Jaguar in Guatemala - places 3rd!
28th October 2007
Articles and Photography supplied by TRINRICO

The NACAM Central American Championship proved to be a challenge as the best pilots from the region attended in full force. The event, the first of three (3) double heat events, was hosted by the Automovil Club de Guatemala in the Autodrome Pedro Cofino, and was dedicated to Pedro Cofino, whom the circuit was renamed from its former name, Autodrome Volcanes.

Pilots and Teams competed under their National Flag as follows:

Guatemala:

Costa Rica:

Italy:\

Trinidad and Tobago:

The circuit proved to be a genuine challenge as it is not ideal for GT-1 category cars. It is extremely narrow with many elevation changes throughout, making passing extremely difficult. In some corners the radius is so tight there is only one line to make the turn otherwise contact with the wall is imminent. It is also a rough surface with many bumps, where putting down the tremendous horsepower of a GT-1 car can be very difficult if not impossible in some sections. It is a challenging and entertaining course, none the less.

Trinrico Racing, with only one race experience with the present team and equipment package, were the only participants that have never attended and raced at the Autodrome Pedro Cofino. The team comprised once again of Quinn Conda, Joachim Brandt, and new team member Craig ‘Donk’ Young. Trinidad & Tobago Pilot Daniel Ramoutarsingh once again was behind the wheel of the RS 28 Jaguar.

The existing track record for GT1 was 1:16:9. The regulations permit only six (6) tires used for both qualifications, warm up sessions, and heat races. The team did the best they could with the time given, and made an extraordinary effort to secure points in the first Central American Championship GT-1 event for 2007. The qualification times in Heat # 1 was a reflection of each team desire for success. Cromwell Cuestas of Guatemala broke his existing track record in qualifying, and Costa Rica pilot Emilio ‘Milo’ Valverde went out and broke it once again. The first qualifying session was a reflection of the dedication and anticipation leading up to the regional event.

Guatemala – GT-1 Heat # 1 Qualification Results

Emilio Valverde ...... 1:14.852
Cromwell Cuestas ...... + 1.048
Carlos Zaid ................ + 1.672
D. Ramoutarsingh ...... + 2.332
Diego Cuestas ............ + 2.381
M. Micangelli ............  + 2.436
Eduardo Borrayo ...... + 3.263
Mauricio Roque ........ + 3.267
Jorge Trejos .............. + 3.274
Luis Méndez .............. + 3.581
Carlos Rodríguez........ + 4.577
Raúl Sanchez ............. + 5.177
Mariano Ramírez ........ + 6.294
Enrique Saravia .......... + 8.468
Ramón Zagui .............. + 9.05

In the second qualifying session, another competitor’s run off had also left grass throughout a large section of the course. The teams were now on the same tires used the day prior, so grip was reduced significantly. There was also some oil in turns 1 through 4. The Trinrico Racing team had come out early in the hopes to avoid further corruption of the course, but were held up by slower competitors on the narrow course, and paid the price in the second qualification results, with at least five (5) competitors in the 1:17:0’s.

Guatemala – GT-1  Heat # 2 Qualification Results

Milo Valverde ............ 1:15.723
Cromwell Cuestas ...... + 1.108
Diego Cuestas ............ + 1.316
Jorge Trejos ............... + 1.488
Carlos Zaid................. + 1.804
D. Ramoutarsingh ..... + 1.936
Luis Méndez .............. + 2.154
M. Roque .................. + 2.372
Mauricio Micangelli ... + 3.791
Raul Sanchez ............. + 4.049
Mariano Ramírez ....... + 4.517
Carlos Rodríguez ...... + 5.277
Enrique Saravia ......... + 5.690
Eduardo Borrayo ....... + 8.852

The two Qualifying sessions and Heat # 1 were both held on Saturday 27th. The starting grid was said to be one of the greatest in the many years of organizers aspiring to return GT-1 racing in the region to the once former glory. The best of the best were to challenge each other under their nation’s flags, and with fourteen (14) teams grid together for this initial event, the series was off to an exciting beginning. It was an honor to have the Trinidad & Tobago National Flag amongst that of the anticipated competing nations and the FIA and NACAM Flags. It marked the first time a pilot from the English Speaking Caribbean would challenge the regional GT-1 Championship against the most experienced and gifted pilots in our zone of NACAM.

Daniel Ramoutarsingh piloted the RS 28 Jaguar to third position in turn one, passing Guatemalan champion Carlos Zaid and his C5 Corvette, and he never looked back. Italian pilot Micangelli, a former Formula 1 test pilot, relentlessly pursued Ramoutarsingh, but the pressure seemed not to be noticed, as the Trinrico Racing Jaguar was later complimented as not making a single mistake or use excessive tire consumption during the battle. It was the outstanding contributions of Craig Young and Crew Chief Quinn Conda, that intelligence and strategy played out perfectly and the car was reserved until Micangelli ran off and fell behind. Daniel Ramoutarsingh challenged for second position until racing contact between Emilio Valverde Nissan TIIDA and another competitor resulted in Valverde retirement with only a few laps remaining. Ramoutarsingh had the new race leader Cromwell Cuestas, both of whom are sponsored by Grupo los Tres, in his sight. Ramoutarsingh made the decision to drive in a conservation manner, as any attempt to pass the current Guatemala track record holder with put his position, and most importantly the life span of his limited tires, in jeopardy. The decision proved correct as Ramoutarsingh finished just behind Cromwell Cuestas’ V8 Volvo S80, taking the chequered flag in second position, in only the second race of his career in GT1, and first Regional Championship.

The main concern for Heat # 2 was the start position. The track is very narrow, and usually accidents occur in turn one that upset the entire grid negatively. Ramoutarsingh lost a position in a failed attempt to pass the 3 Rotor Mazda RX 8 of Diego Cuestas. Later in the race he would successfully pass Cuestas and Trejos in his Porsche 996 RSR and make his way up the pack. The # 68 Mustang of Luis Mendez was holding Ramoutarsingh back 2 seconds per lap. The blue flag came out, but Mendez blocked each attempt to get by made by the Trinidad & Tobago champion. Ramoutarsingh later attempted a surprise pass in a tight area which, contributed by Mendez attempting to ‘shut the door’, resulting in racing contact between the two competitors. Mendez front left tire made contact with the door of the Jaguar XKR and both pilots momentarily lost control. Ramoutarsingh emerged in front and proceeded to gain positions once more.

Coming down the straight to challenge Micangelli in the # 3 Corvette that had earlier been in contact with the Jaguar of Carlos Rodriguez and was behind, the # 68 Mustang of Mendez came charging out of the pit lane to collide with the Jaguar XKR of Ramoutarsingh. Daniel was warned by his Craig Young of the attack and hit the brake, leaving the Mustang to make contact with the # 3 Corvette. The Mustang then slowed his pace, holding up the Jaguar of Ramoutarsingh. He went from side to side blocking the narrow track, as other competitors were allowed to catch up to Ramoutarsingh. The # 55 Porsche of Trejos came from behind and the # 68 Mustang opened a door for him to pass. Ramoutarsingh jumped for the door, though his team warned it was a trap. Mendez proceeded to make contact attempting to put Ramoutarsingh out of the course. Daniel corrected and saved the car twice but Mendez kept making aggressive contact until the XKR was sent into a spin. Mendez continued to attack the Jaguar while it span and in doing so he himself lost all control and both competitors were heading for the tire wall. Ramoutarsingh recovered control and stopped the nose of his Jaguar within 1 inch of the wall, where Mendez’s # 68 Mustang was not so fortunate and made impact with the barrier. Ramoutarsingh regained control of the Jaguar and continued to compete, though he was forced out of position and was now behind the competitors he had passed earlier. Mendez was out of the race. ‘Milo’ and his TIIDA went on to win heat # 2.

Daniel Ramoutarsingh had finished well enough to tie for third place overall in the Central American Championship with Carlos Zaid. Had it not been for the attack he would be second in the Championship standings. The Jaguar XKR received damages throughout the body as well as a front wheel and exhaust. The team is shocked and disappointed that a competitor holding an FIA license could act with such disregard for discipline and the safety of another competitor. Upon investigations the stewards of the event made a decision that the entire incident was a ‘race incident’ and neither driver would be penalized. Trinrico Racing made an appeal which is now in the hands of the Automovil Club de Guatemala in which a trail may proceed. All witnesses state that the first contact in no way can justify the retaliation shown by the # 68 team.

There is one (1) point awarded for achieving Pole Position, of which Emilio Valverde of Valverde Racing took the Pole for both heats. The championship standings are now as follows after both heats were combined with the points for pole position:

Central American Championship Points Standings (Heats 1 & 2):

1. Cromwell Cuestas 25
2. Emilio Valverde 18
3. Carlos Zaid 17
4. Daniel Ramoutarsingh 17
5. Diego Cuestas 16
6. Mauricio Roque 13
7. Koki Trejos 13
8. Mauricio/ Marco Micangeli 12
9. Mariano Ramírez 7
10. Luis Méndez 4
11. Raúl Sánchez 4
12. Eduardo Borrayo 2

The next event for the Central American Championship is scheduled for November 18th, la Guacima Circuit, Costa Rica. It will be 2 heats of forty (40) minutes each, with the six (6) tire regulation in effect. Several new participants from the region will be competing.

Trinrico Racing is attending in full force, with the entire team present, with one mind.

A very sincere thank you goes out to the kind sponsors of Trinrico Racing:
Trinrico Steel and Wire Products ltd.
The Trinidad & Tobago Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs
Castrol Lubricants / Tracmac Engineering
Grupo Los Tres - Centro America