T&T's Ramoutarsingh places 3rd overall in Costa Rican GT-1 heats
18th May 2008
Photography by: Jorge Jiminez and Joachim Brandt
Article by TRINRICO Racing Team

TRINRICO RACING
Costa Rica National GT-1 Championship: Event # 2 (HEATS 3 & 4)
AUTODROME La Guacima
Costa Rica

The Copa Diana event is the 2nd installment to the 2008 Costa Rica National GT-1 Championship. The event welcomed several new teams to the region including Kenny and Jordan Bupp from the United States. Competitors also attended from Puerto Rico, The Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, and Trinidad & Tobago. The event was scheduled for 2 x 30 minute heats.

Trinidad & Tobago pilot, Daniel Ramoutarsingh, returned with his Trinrico Racing team to once again represent his country in the premiere motor sport championship in the region. The team once again comprised Rocketsports own Tony Gentilozzi, Troy Cowgill, Marti Donavon, and John 'Big Bear' Smythe. Joachim Brandt of Costa Rica completed the team. The Rocketsports # 18 Jaguar XKR of Ramoutarsingh was refitted with their 331 ci motor, rebuilt by motor constructor Tony Gentilozzi.

Ramoutarsingh's qualification run was hampered by a Yellow Flag that led to a Red Flag closed course after a competitor ran off the circuit and needed assistance. The course was closed in his fast lap, resulting in the team starting heat #1 from 5th position.

The poor track conditions included debris and oil throughout the course, and hot conditions ensured the 1st heat would be under very loose conditions. Ramoutarsingh suffered a run off that cost him valuable positions in heat #1, resulting in a 5th place finish.

In the 2nd heat race officials declared it a wet race, permitting use of rain set up and tires. Ramoutarsingh, discouraged from heat # 1, entered heat # 2 a different driver. The team provided an excellent car set up, as Daniel was able to drive an incredible race in the rain, entering the final turn with a car length between himself and race leader Javier Queros in his Rocketsports # 14 Toyota Supra. Ramoutarsingh and Queros fought to the delight of the crowds and television media making it a very exciting race finish. The heat was ended approximately 3 minutes earlier than the scheduled 30 minutes, to the surprise of the teams that expected another 2 laps of which Ramoutarsingh was attempting to pass Queros.

The points system for 2008 allows 6 points for 1st, 4 points for 2nd, and then 3, 2, 1 respectively. The system resulted in Queros, whom suffered a DNF in Heat # 1, to win the overall event in 1st position. Puerto Rican pilot Edison Lurch Jr. finished 2nd overall, and Ramoutarsingh 3rd. The event marks Daniel Ramoutarsingh's 1st podium as a rookie pilot, and Trinidad & Tobago's first podium finish in regional GT-1 Motor Sport. It was a welcomed finale after a dangerous run off in heat # 1, and a belated birthday present to Daniel, whom celebrated his birthday the previous week.

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