SoloDex-I - 23trd. January 2000

ByCARS

On Sunday 23 January, CARS held its SoloDex-I at the carpark of the Arima RaceClub. It was the first of its kind in Trinidad and Tobago and catered to motor enthusiasts as well as the public. Kudos to CARS for bringing it to ourshores. CARS SoloDex.

It was an enjoyable, economical, recreational activity where drivers tested their skill using their everyday vehicles on a safe, designated course. With a detailed, objective system of vehicle classification and performance adjustment factors based on a history of statistics from North American events, equitable treatment was afforded to vehicles of different caliber, thereby ensuring a level playing field. Basically, in SoloDex-I, the vehicles performed a series of timed runs through a course, one at a time.

The course was plotted on flat, paved, open terrain using traffic pylons in a predetermined configuration designed by computer to limit peak vehicle speeds to 80 km/h. As vehicles traversed the course, time penalties were awarded for each pylon hit and if the driver did not follow the course, they received a DNF (did not finish) and got no score for the run. To ensure the highest standards of safety, each vehicle underwent a mandatory inspection before the event to confirm its roadworthiness and ensure adherence to the standard. The event was a great success, attracting 22 male and 6 female drivers from all over Trinidad. Participating vehicles ranged from the small family sedans to the antique MGB-GT all the way up to a very powerful Evolution 4. Uncle Jimmy (Garcia) as "car 0" drove through the course first in classic style to show the entrants just how easy it was.

Then the first run of the day by Roger Williams in a modified Corolla SR5 not only completed the course accurately on his first try, but also set the pace with a particularly good time. During the day, excitement mounted as each driver attempted to better their previous time. Precision timing equipment supplied by Autosport Promotions Limited allowed the recording of course times to be made to the nearest thousandth of a second, a critical.phpect of the event given the keen competition among the various entrants in similar cars. The event placed emphasis on driver skill and handling rather than on vehicle power and a Performance Adjusted Index (PAX) factor was applied to each vehicle's fastest recorded time of the day to determine the winners.

At the end of the day, Rawle Mahabir, driving his four-wheel drive turbo 323emerged the overall winner (after 2 DNFs), with a fastest adjusted time of 35.103 seconds. In second place was Barry Mykoo in a Civic SiR VTEC (36.298) with Clayton Jobity (37.025) coming in third in a Corolla. Among the females, Alicia McKenzie emerged in the top place with 41.287 seconds in her Lancer just barely beating Helga Crosby's best time of 41.492 in her Joy. Trophies were given to the first 5 overall winners, the first placed Female competitor and the first in each of four classes, all compliments Diamond Motors.

Additional prizes of oil and engine supplies were sponsored by Erls Caribbean Industries (Quaketstate), TracMac Engineering (Castrol) and Automotive Components Limited (PennZoil), who also provided advertising for the event. Even more prizes of umbrellas and diaries were provided by Fujitsu-ICL. So now, the SoloDex Championship is on and I understand ACL is providing the first prize of four Goodyear Eagle F1 225/50ZR15 tyres, valued over $2,500. When's the next SoloDex? Sources close to the executive have indicated that they are hard at work planning SoloDex II.

CARS extends a Special thank you to The Sponsors: ACL (Pennzoil), Diamond Motors, Erls Caribbean Industries (QuakerState), Fujitsu-ICL, Caribel, Valpark Shopping Plaza Limited, TracmacEngineering (Castrol), Autosport Promotions Limited, Arima Race Club, T&T Karting Association. The Helpers: Dinesh, Jewan, Samantha, Yasha, Rennie, Marcus, Earl, Roger (Francis), Dave, Stacey, Bashir, the Kamikaze Krew, and all others who helped in making the launch of SoloDex a success.

Check out the Introduction to SoloDex and FAQ.