It was not as spectacular as the first staging of the National Race of Champions in May this year, but the sequel marked a positive return for Andrew King as he once again showed why he was once Caribbean Champion driver.
At his last two outings at the South Dakota Circuit, King’s showing was limited due to engine failure and a break down of his fuel injection system; a problem which started since in round two of the Caribbean series last year in Barbados.
But on Sunday last, the small but appreciative crowd at the Timehri circuit saw a triumphant display from King, although he admitted that his car was not 100%.
King had a flawless day on the track and though his usual rival and nemesis Mark Vieira was absent, his brother Paul proved just as competitive.
The older Vieira was the star of round one but on Sunday he had to settle for second place behind King and his fire spiting tube frame Mazda RX7.
After the race, King told Stabroek Sport that he is still being plagued by the fuel injection system although they had dealt with all the other areas which were giving problems.
He said that his capable mechanics made a quick decision to switch to the usual carburetor.
“I’m still not running as fast I wanted to, somehow the fuel injection is not giving us some justice but we switched to carburetor and that give us some ground, but this meet was very important to me because with the Caribbean Race of Champions second round set for Barbados right around the corner, we had to get the car running well,” King said.
He added that since he didn’t get to compete in round one which was held in Jamaica in May, he would be aiming to make up on lost time by having his car close to 100% while for the rest he would wait until he gets to Barbados next month.
Stuart Maloney currently holds the title of Caribbean Champion driver after winning outright last year, but King’s intention is clear – he is bent on reclaiming the status he once held.
Meanwhile it was back to normal for team Rahaman as the father and son pair of Jad and Ryan despite starting at the back of the grid in both their groups, came out successful.
But for Ryan, it was bitter sweet since he competes in both the group ‘2B’ and 3 classes.
He won outright in the group ‘2B’ class driving a vintage Ford Escort but in the group 3 he did not taste victory. Instead he trailed Gavin Gayadin and Ravi Singh but after the race he said that he was satisfied.
“I think it was a pretty good day for both me and my father because like I said, we had to start at the back in the first race because we did not do the time trials on Saturday, but our cars ran really well like they always do, or should I say only one of my cars ran well.”
“Somehow the group 3 car has not yet found form, but it is a relatively new car so it still has time to groove in, but I’m glad with my performance. I would not be going to Barbados this year, maybe next year I will be touring, so thanks to my sponsors,” Ryan added.
And the local ‘Valentino Rossi’ was able to once again take control of the Super Biker category on his 2008 Suzuki GSX 600.
Stephen Vieira said that he is not comfortable with the way his bike has been riding since the last meet, and he thinks there is a suspension problem.
He said that this problem has to be rectified in time for the Barbados meet, where he hopes to clash with some of the best riders in the Caribbean. The local riders, Vieira noted, unlike the last meet, really came out strong in the first race but he was able to make some adjustments afterwards so he was able to take the checkered flag as usual.
Meanwhile, newly-elected president of the GMR&SC, Aaron Bethune, rated Sunday’s meet as satisfactory although it did not have the crowd like round one in May.
Bethune, who took over from Vishok Persaud, believes that they could have had more competitors but he observed that most of the drivers had encountered problems with their vehicles since the first meet.
Nevertheless, he added, it was a good injury free day on the track.
