– concerned over non-participation of region’s stars
The Barbados Auto Racing League (BARL) race director Kurt Seabra believes that the second round of the Caribbean Motor Racing Championship which will be held on Sunday, August 30, would be the biggest event ever on the island.
Speaking with Stabroek Sport via telephone yesterday, Seabra said some 96 competitors both locally and internationally have registered for the event and the BARL was forced to prematurely close entries because of the overwhelming interest.
But he noted the BARL is a bit disturbed over the non-participation of some of the Caribbean’s top drivers including former champions Dug Gore of Jamaica and Guyana’s Mark Vieira.
“We were here in Barbados and I know that the public here as well was looking forward to seeing those two drivers on show here because of the excitement they bring. Dug was down to come but he suffered an injury on the track while Mark is battling with some car problems because I know he has a new car and we know how it is to get things in shape sometimes,” Seabra said
“Mark I know for sure is well liked here in Barbados and I think he attracts a large following anywhere he goes in the Caribbean but sometimes things like this happen in the sport and knowing him he would want to make sure he has his car running well if he is going to come here but nevertheless I think that we would have a great meet,” the BARL race director noted.
However, Guyana’s national champion Andrew King and Jamaica’s David Summerbell well be headlining the feature Group Four race which according to Seabra will be just as exciting.
“You know even though we didn’t get all the top drivers we would have hoped for, I think that having Andrew King here who is the national champion in Guyana and we all know how great of a competitor he is and also Summerbell whose name speaks for himself – it is going to be great because people here come out to see these guys battle the locals,” added Seabra.
Apart from the big showdown which is expected among the cars, it is said that the Bushy Park Circuit is gearing up to see some good races in the super bikes category as well and this also is already drawing a lot of attention.
“I think this would be our largest amount of riders in the super bikes – we have like eight local riders and three from overseas but I know that Guyana will be sending two of their best, so this is also a must-see race here which also adds more interest.”
It was stated that the cars of Andrew King and the bike of Stephen Vieira have departed Guyana already and are expected shortly in Barbados while the cars of Gavin Gayadin and Kevin Jeffrey will be shipped today.
Meanwhile, President of the Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club (GMR&SC) Aaron Bethune said that over 100 persons will be making the trip to Barbados to give support to the local drivers and riders and he too believes that this would be one of the biggest meets ever held on the island.
Barbados’ Stuart Maloney is the defending Caribbean champion and reports emanating out of the island is that his 2173cc Turbocharged Mitsubishi Evo 6 seems to be in perfect working order and a tight showdown with King and Summerbell is expected.
The third and final round of the series will be hosted in Guyana in November.
Team Guyana reads: Andrew King, Kevin Jeffery, Gavin Gayadin, Gavin Gouveia, Maurice Menezes and Stephen Vieira.