(Jamaica Observer) Controversy surrounded the final Caribbean Motor Racing Championships (CMRC) race in Barbados, which started after 6:00 pm in night-time conditions, raising concerns regarding the safety of competitors.
In fact, race drivers are now suggesting a re-run of the night race, as no awards were presented for that race during Monday’s presentation ceremony at the Bushy Park race track.
Races over the weekend were delayed owing to heavy rainfall that created muddy ground and wet track conditions, unsuitable for motor racing. And sunlight did not await the final of the three scheduled CMRC races, made even more frightening as there were no lights at the track to guide competitors.
As drivers blindly braved the darkness and left the pit lane in big juice super-fast Group 4/Thundersport cars, the spectators cheered with excitement for what could be described as a very dangerous undertaking.
“It was the most risky thing I’ve ever done in my life,” said Barry Mayers, Barbadian driver of a Suziki SX4.
“But we all knew the consequences during the race and we all had one goal and that was to get points for our country and the Championship,” added Mayers, who was recorded the winner of the dark race.
Albeit a dangerous undertaking, racing fans exploded with joy as five fire-breathing Mazda RX racecars illuminated the track.
But confusion reigned in the darkened conditions.
The prolific Mark Maloney in his famous Mazda RX3 stopped at what he thought was the finish line, with all wheel rotors glowing beneath his jubilant celebration on the roof of the car.
Amidst the fireworks, the plot thickened as what Mark Maloney thought was the checkered flag during the night race, was actually the last lap black and white sign.
Worse, he had not even crossed the finish line on a track that he knew like the back of his hand, the darkness apparently affecting his vision.
By this time, Barry Mayers had come blazing through the line, ahead of Maloney, with David Summerbell Jr finishing second and Stuart Williams reported to have placed third.
“Initially I thought they should keep the results, but the reality is that the race was won or lost on someone guessing when the race was complete,” he contended.
“I believe they should cancel the race and run it over in Guyana at the start of the meet that way everyone has a fair chance of winning when they can see,” Maloney argued.
Guyanese Paul Vieira, in his Mazda RX7, was very concerned about speculations to cancel the race as he felt that efforts to compete in the dangerous night drive would have been in vain.
“I know it was unsafe, everyone was doing it, so what do you do, I went out and did it,” said Vieira.
“Driving is what I do and I was in full control, but what upset me is that I heard they cancelled the race. They should not have done that because they put us through so much in that race and then go back and cancel it,” he added.
Summerbell, who was leading the race up until mechanical problems slowed him down, also voiced concerns, as there were incidents, which he argued provided even more danger for drivers.
“It was a difficult call for the organisers, when we first went out it was dark. Mark spun in front of me and his water hose burst spewing the liquid on my windscreen. My wiper only made it worse as it was difficult to see through the haze,” Summerbell shared.
“It was dangerous, anything could have happened to anyone. Roger had an issue on the corner and I didn’t see until last minute but I was able to get out of it and a tyre was even on the track and we all had to drive around it” added Stuart Williams, Barbadian driver of a Lotus Elite.
Peter Rae, in his Mazda RX7 drove straight off the track into a puddle of mud, unable to see where he was going.
“I ended up driving straight off the track because I just couldn’t see where I was going. Before I knew it I ended up almost stuck in the mud, it was so thick that when I weigh the car, it made the car about 100 pounds heavier,” Rae told Auto.
President of the Barbados Auto Racing League (BARL) Adrian Mayers, during his prize giving speech thanked the drivers for racing in trying conditions saying he “lifted his hat” to them for their courage.
Mayers informed Auto that the race is being discussed with the CMRC committee, BARL and the drivers, therefore, no awards were presented for the top three reported positions.
“The fans were thrilled, but as an organiser I had concerns, because it was getting quite dark. I am happy no incidents occurred and I stand behind my race committee, we will all review the race and make any remedial decisions,” Mayers said.
But President of the Jamaica Race Drivers Club (JRDC) Hilary Jardine, believes that although conditions were bad the results of the CMRC race should stand.
“You dropped a flag to start the race and you dropped a flag to end the race, the results should stand,” Jardine argued. “It was unfortunate that they had to race in those conditions, but the weather delayed the racing, beyond everyone’s control. I don’t think the race should be cancelled and re-run,” he said. “If the race is cancelled, all concerned will have to travel to Guyana to redeem their Championship points,” Jardine added.