T&T's Ramoutarsingh competes again in Costa Rican GT-1 heats
18th May 2008
Photography by: Jorge Jiminez and ProMotor Sport S.A.
Article by TRINRICO Racing Team

TRINRICO RACING
Costa Rica National GT-1 Championship: Event # 3 (HEATS 5 & 6)

Location: Autodrome la Guacima, Costa Rica

Event: Copa Maxx Energy

Circuit: Large; 3,000 Km

Trinidad & Tobago's GT-1 motor racing team, Trinrico Racing, competed in the Costa Rica National Championship in Costa Rica on June 28th and 29th. The Copa Maxx Energy event named after the title sponsor, Maxx Energy Drink, represented the 5th and 6th Heats comprising the latest installment to the national velocity championship and brought together the fifteen (15) top competitors from the United States, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, and Trinidad & Tobago to name a few. The event was scheduled for 2 x 30 minute heats in the high powered GT-1 category; contested on the large circuit layout.

Daniel Ramoutarsingh piloted his # 18 Trinrico Racing Jaguar XKR and was supported by his team comprising Troy Cowgill, Marty Dunivon, John 'Big Bear' Smythe, Tony Gentilozzi and Joachim Brandt. The team was given a weight penalty as per the national regulations whereby the top 3 finish competitors of the previous event are required to add weight to their vehicles for the following event.

Ramoutarsingh and team produced an improved result regardless of the weight penalty as the team qualified on Saturday at 11:40am in 5th position, at a time of 1:17.550, Ramoutarsingh's personal best. The 2nd through 5th position were separated by .2 tenths of a second, a testament to the increased competition within the series. The team went on to set the 2nd fastest time in the 8:55am Sunday morning warm up session at 1:18.125, behind Ernesto Rodriguez of Costa Rica.

Heat 1 was started at 10:40am on Sunday 29th. Ramoutarsingh was in line to exit the paddock when the # 98 Jaguar XK in front of his vehicle stalled and could not be started under its own power. The team of the #98 Jaguar assisted the pilot by attempting to push the vehicle back and forth in an attempt to start the vehicle by way of manual power. The situation did not permit the competitor and the # 18 Jaguar of Ramoutarsingh to get on the grid in the time permitted and he was required to forfeit his grid position and start at the back of the pack in the drive by. Early in the race a three (3) car accident involving competitors from Puerto Rico and the USA resulted in a full circuit yellow flag. The # 00 Mustang of Puerto Rican champion pilot Rolando Falgueras suffered damage and complications to be removed from the Lake Corner exit of the circuit, delayed the full course yellow to over 15 minutes. The competitors and officials struggled to keep the high powered V8 GT-1 cars on the track at a reduced speed while the marshals and safety personal initiated the track clean up which included debris and oil.

Upon the restart of the race Ramoutarsingh fought his way up the pack and reached 4th position when he attempted to go on the inside of the # 55 Adidas Porsche and the two made brief contact as the Porsche turned into the corner. The contact resulted in the # 55 Porsche to loose control and spin. Ramoutarsingh was given a 15 second stop and go pit penalty by the stewards and would not recover his position in the few minutes remaining in the heat. The team finished 8th, and would start the second heat in that position. Ramoutarsingh set the second fastest lap time of the 1st heat at 1:17.848, second only to Javier Queros' # 14 Toyota Supra, who went on to 1st place in heat # 1, at a time of 1:17.004; and the third fastest time was Ernesto Rodriguez at 1:17.906 who finished 2nd.

The second heat was started on schedule at 1:20pm. The previous heat was a damper on the event and the threat of oncoming rain at the start of Heat 2 was no comfort to officials and competitors. Ramoutarsingh once again fought to move through the ranks when he found himself behind the # 55 Porsche. It was apparent the previous contact and penalty had affected Ramoutarsingh, as he remained behind the # 55 Porsche awaiting a safe passing option that would not risk further contact. The Porsche suffered a mechanical failure that began to manifest itself in the form of smoke and oil exiting its exhaust system. While attempting to complete the event several laps elapsed and the Porsche retired for the day. Ramoutarsingh immediately gained 2 seconds per lap with the field opening before him and the possibility of a second regretful contact behind him. The rain came, and oil that had been on the track and competitors that remained in the race became an issue. By the end of Heat # 2 almost every competitor had run off course at some period of the event, and Ramoutarsingh suffered his run off exiting the Esses onto the double apex corner. He was able to return to the circuit but the run off cost time and position. Still struggling with visibility, due to the oil residue of the competitor directly in front of him loosing a motor, he fought to gain position. He was able to gain position but not to his satisfaction as he finished Heat # 2 in 4th. Javier Queros suffered a DNF in heat # 2, which was dominated by Ernesto Rodriquez, Luis Mendez # 68 Mustang of Dominican Republic, and AGT Champion Edison Lluch # 72 of Puerto Rico, respectively.

The event was a somber one due to the number of incidents, lengthy full course yellow status, and grueling conditions; as evident on the condition of the vehicles and their pilots. The championship continues on August 9th and 10th, and marks the run up to the Central American Championship. Copa Pepsi has been included in the calendar for October 25th and 26th. Officials are debating on the event being a CRC or CAC event, as the scheduled El Salvador event may be replaced with Copa Pepsi for the Central American Championship. Ramoutarsingh is yet to confirm his team's participation in the Central American Championship as a potential six (6) event Costa Rica National series and an additional three (3) Central American Championship events by the end of the season could prove overbearing on the team. The team is still without reply from the Permanent Secretary to the Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs regarding their outstanding subvention for 2007. Trinrico Racing's subvention for the four (4) events participated under the flag of Trinidad & Tobago with the inclusion of the Ministry of Sport & Youth Affairs was withheld and the team have been in contact with the Minister of Sport, Director of Sport and Permanent Secretary providing all requested information and await a formal reply, in the hopes the matter can be resolved and the agreement honored. There is no avenue at present for the national entry into regional GT-1 participation to receive subvention from the Ministry of Sport despite discussions and agreements before entering the series. Trinrico Racing and Castrol Lubricants are maintaining our nation's participation solely, as new discussions with prospective sponsors to replace the void left by the Ministry convene.

A very sincere thank you goes out to the kind sponsors of Trinrico Racing: