Another stunning performance from Ravi Singh ensured T&T’s Team Tigers did not leave the Seaboard Marine Motor Racing Championships (CMRC) Qualification day on Saturday without a pole after he qualified in the Group 3 class.
Singh’s 36.113sec lap time was enough to give him the prime spot for the jump in today’s first CMRC Gp3 run ahead of fellow driver also driving for T&T and current CMRC competitor Paul Vieira (36.306). Suriname’s Oliver Tjin Leip Shie (36.437) secured the 3rd spot on the grid.
Singh told TriniTuner.com, that he owes his performance to ‘Vico’ from Guyana who has helped him out a lot with the car, “we removed some weight but the times are close,” adding “Danny (Persaud) starts at the back of the pack and gets to the front in a hurry but the qualifying went like go-kart racing, just one tenth of a second makes all the difference.”
Meanwhile, T&T’s GP4 champion Kristian Boodoosingh will start today 3rd on the grid as his 34.461s was not good enough to outclass Guyana’s current champion Kristian Jeffrey (34.763).
Boodoosingh will have to make up ground to catch pole sitter Kristian Jeffrey (33.592)s who is already very close to the 33.3 lap record at the South Dakota Circuit, while Barbadian Mark Maloney posted a 34.296 time in his rotary powered RX3 monster.
“I think it was pretty good considering that I only did 5 practice laps prior to qualifying having only received the cars last night and we had a lot of issues this morning, so it’s a good start and we a little bit off Kristian (Jeffrey) but when the flag drops tomorrow, we will see what goes on, hopefully the car stays together,” concluded Boodoosingh.
Meanwhile on the very competitive Group 2 side of things, current CMRC point leader Marc Gill (T&T) qualified third on the grid with a 38.537s time, hot on the heels of Barbados’ Kenrick Husbands (38.499) and Guyana’s Shan Seejattan (38.418).
Marc concluded, “3rd on the grid out of 24, hopefully I’ll get a win!” obviously satisfied with the performance he put out yesterday.
T&T’s Daryl Ali, who will start 7th on the grid said, “We had a successful practice session, the car feels great, really powerful but we had a little set back when we found out the car was under weight to make the class. There was a mad rush to set things right but we eventually made the class weight and we are ready for tomorrow.”
His son Aqeeb, concluded that “on the other hand my car had problems one after the next, but this team lead by Rudy Beekee aka “Priest” got it all sorted out and the driving experience and skill should come into play in the next couple hours.”
Meanwhile T&T’s Justin Sanguinette, who qualified 12th on the grid after clocking 40.195s, said “this is my first time in the CMRC Group 2 class in Guyana and I have to admit my nerves are showing in the practice sessions.”
Damien Nesbitt, said, “The car is working and this being his 4th year behind the wheel of his sr16 powered Nissan B13 for CMRC he is confident. During practice there were minor handling issues but tomorrow should an improvement. We will be picking up points for Team TT.”
Warren “Luke” De Nobriga, the only rider representing Trinidad who qualified 12th overall yesterday summed up his day to mechanical issues. “I busted a fork seal on the right side but tie strapped a napkin, so I should be good,” continued De Nobriga.
Today’s event begins at 0830 with the lap of honour. Good luck Team Tigers!
Qualifying
Group 4:
1. Kristian Jeffrey – 33.592 / 0.000 – Guyana
2. Mark Maloney – 34.296 / 0.704 – Barbados
3. Kristian Boodoosingh – 34.461 / 0.869 – Trinidad & Tobago
4. Kevin Jeffrey – 34.763 / 1.171 – Guyana
5. Andrew King – 34.922 / 1.330 – Guyana
Group 3:
1. Ravi Singh – 36.133 / 0.000 – Trinidad & Tobago
2. Paul Vieira – 36.306 / 0.173 – Trinidad & Tobago
3. Oliver Tjin Liep Shie – 36.437 / 0.304 – Suriname
4. Kurt Thompson – 36.702 / 0.569 – Barbados
5. Steve King – 36.747 / 0.614 – Barbados
Group 2:
1. Shan Seejatan – 38.418 / 0.000 – Guyana
2. Kenrick Husbands – 38.499 / 0.081 – Barbados
3. Mark Gill – 38.537 / 0.119 – Trinidad & Tobago
4. Mark Thompson – 38.707 / 0.289 – Barbados
5. Ryan Rahaman – 39.218 / 0.800 – Guyana
Superbikes:
1. Matthew Vieira – 34.102 / 0.000 – Guyana
2. Elliot Vieira – 34.279 / 0.177 – Guyana
3. Joel Neblette – 34.404 / 0.302 – Guyana
4. Carlos Mendonca – 34.731 / 0.629 – ???
5. Kevin Persaud – 35.040 / 0.938 – Guyana
Photography: Stefan Gaijie (S.E.A.G Productions)
