TTKA Karting 4
4th May 2008
Photography by Devi Nath and Gerrard Wilson
Article by by Jacqueline Alexis

The much anticipated May 4th Kart races were held at the Car Park of the Horse Racing Track at O'Meara Arima and with beautiful sunny weather, making it a perfect race day for the Trinidad & Tobago Karting Association's 3rd meet of the year.. unlike the previous event that was cancelled due to the inclement weather.

Sponsored by Tracmac Engineering, a circuit of about ½ mile long, was created for the 40-odd Kart drivers, ranging from the ages of 9 to 55.

Karting is a Motorsport easily passed on from adult to children in the same family and actually, some of the younger drivers are children of the adult 'karters'. Indeed, there is a very strong family presence as the crowd consists of family members and friends of the young/experienced karters.

Highlights
The Cadets group (an idea in the making for some time) implemented last year with the objective of continuity and possible preparation for Formula One (train 'em young), catered for children between the ages of 6 and 12 - awesome opportunity for interested kids to participate in a race, giving them the freedom to go as fast as they could, in a controlled environment, supervised by adults and regulated by rules.

9 -year old Amir Madan (son of Fyzool Madan) came in first in his Towers Sports Bar sponsored #11 kart in heat 1 and 3rd in the final. Che Carrington (Gerrard Carrington's nephew) in Innovative Security sponsored #175 grabbed 1st place in heat 2 and the final. Little Bridgette Singh, the princess of the bunch, came in 2nd in the final

Young Johnathan Mckenzie, has been performing so well that he may be this year's choice for Rookie of the Year award. He took top honours in both heats and final in the 100 CC Light category driving his RALLYMAC Motors sponsored Kart #99, consistently reducing his track timings. Can speed be passed on genetically? He is the nephew of Barry 'One Oot' Mckenzie, one of our top local rally drivers.

Mckenzie dogged the heels of #77 Sharaz Hosein (sponsored by Triple S Bargain) in heat #2 until he out-manoeuvred Hosein in the 7th lap of heat #2 and overtook him on the inside corner. The effervescent Robert Cadiz unfortunately lost his right rear wheel in the 5th lap of heat 2 and watched Hosein attain 2nd place with Matthew Crisp picking up 3rd. Brandon Marquis is the youngest noobie, débuting in his #9 ER Car Rentals kart.

Rotax Masters category are for the over 35-ers, where Gerard Carrington in his Innovative Security sponsored #18 Kart, took 1st place in the Qualifier from a field of 10 participants in the best time of 39.77 seconds and final in 39.881 seconds... although Carrington best time was 40.07 seconds, he relinquished 1st place to the evergreen Aslim Ali in his Presidential Insurance sponsored #70 kart in the pre-final.

Carrington displaying some determination and driving skill in the 20-lap final, eventually passed #55 - Raj Baboolal (son of Dr. Michael Baboolal) in lap #14 slipping in on the inside corner after brown nosing him for quite a few laps. Engine problems plagued Brandon Steele (son of Venus Miller - TTKA Secretary) - #13. Even though he started each of his three races of the day, he was forced to retire whilst in first position on several occasions and the youngster had to sit it out, much to his disappointment.

WCIS sponsored #23 - Nicholas Narinesingh qualified 1st in the Qualifier of the Rotax International category with best time of 39.52 seconds, with Mark Gill taking this in his Marine Safety Supply sponsored #18 in the pre-final.

With the final small numbers in both the 100CC Light and Rotax International, Competition Secretary - Wayne Lee - combined both to hype up the excitement and this was achieved as Gill, Narinesingh and Luke Bhola (son of MC Ramesh Bhola) in Bhola's Autoworks #155 took the podium in that order in the Rotax with Mckenzie, Cadiz and Crisp in the same order in the 100CC Light.

With the best left for last, the Shifters group consists of potential Formula 3 Drivers. These Karts are the meanest sounding race machines in our Islands. It is absolutely amazing to hear these Karts shift gears and I understand the G forces that these racers pull, going through some of the corners. are similar to the Formula Cars seen on TV.

This group is usually very exciting as the drivers demonstrate their driving skills and strategies on the track and the spectators were not disappointed. There was an exciting shuffling and jostling by the drivers as they fought for elbow space. In the final race, #00 owned by Brent Hurdle, was driven by ace Karter/Mechanic Ravi Singh and Mark Gill tried his hand with Fyzool Madan Kart #05.

Ryan Garcia was a force to be reckoned with that weekend as he took 1st place in all the races in his United Auto #125 Kart, followed by Gregory De Verteuil (TTKA VP) and Shahinder Singh, with best times of 38.169, 38.82 and 38.792 seconds respectively. Other competitors included Mark Mohammed, John-Paul Tannous, Vernon Martin and David Coelho.

All's well that ends well. Resident Chef/Mechanic - Barry Mckenzie - had his pot and BBQ grille out well before the end of the races, enticing the group with the smells of his curried pepper pork, so that folks were tasting his hand as trophies were distributed.

July 4th 5th & 6th will see about 15 competitors participating in the Jamaica International Karting Meet. Log on to www.ireikarting.com for more information on this event.