Well Well Well,
TTRC continues to push the envelope and boy have they delivered on this - the final event for 2009. About 10 weeks ago we started the discussions of a possible Rally in Tobago. Naturally there was some initial skepticism with the unknown and first time approach for an event of this type in our sister isle.
Over the last few weeks however, with the determination and help of both the THA and the TTRC exec, many fears were removed as things started to fall into place much like a the final twists when tightening a wheel nut. By the time the cars arrived at Scarborough port in Tobago, the word was definitely out there that something epic was about to take place.
Friday 1pm saw the first car drive off the port and much to the amazement of the curious onlookers. The Police were waiting for us - not to ask for license and registration but this time to give us a proud escort to through the town and onto our next destination - Lowlands Mall. It was an amazing site to see 20 cars all stickered up and revving anti-lag move through Milford Road and get preferred right of way no matter the colour of the traffic light.
The next few hours at Lowlands Mall proved to be a lesson in rally cars for most as everyone from school children to the local madman came to catch a glimpse for what was probably their first time up and close with the rally prepped machines. No longer was it on TV but right in front their faces. Without the security and ropes that may have been expected on the eve of competition many people got a chance to sit inside and ask questions to their hearts delight. Some made bets on who would win, some simply watched in amazement as each car started up and made it to the scrutineer's tent and back.
The opening kicked off on time with the National Anthem followed by a few short remarks from THA's Director of Sport. At this point everything was going according to plan - which was actually a bit worrying knowing that we always have some jumbie to bite us immediately before an event. And of course the jumbie arrived in the form of very wet conditions on the Friday morning causing half the stage to be cut out. This would prove to be a true blessing in disguise as no one could have predicted the good fortune of the new track design which was only finalized by the time the sun set on Friday evening.
So with most teams and pit crews doing last minute preps and trying to get a good night's sleep, the Trini crew's who came over to support embarked on their long night of celebration. The reason for this celebration is never questioned or understood - we can only assume it lasted long into the night, and was enjoyable judging by the upside down faces we saw on Saturday morning when the action started to get underway.
So Saturday morning arrived and what a way to start a day - brilliant sunshine in all directions. It was not only the first opportunity for teams to get to do their pacenotes on the new stage but a chance for us to see the pits. Now we usually never pay much attention to the pits – it’s a few tents usually with a stray dog or two running about. Not this time however. In true Tobago style and fashion – the pits were 10ft away from the pristine Turtle Beach which on Saturday morning showed off with perfect sand and the bluest of water. Many of the teams remarked that it would not have been too bad if the cars did not make the entire rally with Plan B involving cracking the cooler of Stag a little earlier than intended.
Time to start and immediately we notice that the crowds are beginning to pile in. One by one, car by car, 4x4 by 4x4 they came. From bikinis to their Sunday best all walks made it to the event. For those who knew what to expect and first timers alike, the next few stages turned out to be a really epic display of what the Club had to offer. In the Club’s history very few events feature all Cars driving home and although some had fewer gears, fewer windscreens, and mostly covered in dust, all starters were deemed finishers.
Lunch arrived and what was interpreted by some to be spectators leaving was soon realized to be actually people leaving to go to the beach to cool off, make a pass in the pits, and then return to the action after lunch. Imagine taking an hour in the Tobago sea water and then going back to watch rallying after lunch. Great!!
The afternoon stages went off without a hitch, bringing a very efficiently run competitive day to an end. Now time to give thanks to the spectators. Fun runs were the order of the day with all the cars lining up at the main field for a quick salute followed by some donut action to send the crowd mad. Mr. Lochan did his as is now customary flag lap, and then treated the THA Director of Sport to a quick lap at full race pace.
The prize giving was next, then a big party on the beach to officially close Rally Festival 2009. Maybe it was fitting that the man who went through the most stress on the Friday was the victor on Saturday. Sometimes things do happen in the right way, and now Tobago has something other than a big yellow catamaran to call hero. 'Lord One Foot' or ''Cyar namber too'' as he his now officially known is now the man to beat as the sun has set on another thumbs up event.
A major thanks to everyone’s involvement and all the sponsors. THA was an amazing host and 2010 already seems too long to wait. Great Race…watch out it seems there is another power sport on the horizon about to take its place in the conversations of all the Tobago Rum shops
