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Disposable Income making the difference
This truck that maintains the Mayers
By Rawle Welch
Undisputedly, the country with the least disposable income to improve competitors’ machines and equipment, Guyanese drivers and riders nonetheless put on a brave display at the just concluded second leg of the Caribbean Motor Racing Championship in Barbados, scoring an inspiring 31 points after starting the day on zero.
The locals clearly inferior to their regional counterparts both in terms of machine and equipment made up the deficit through an exhibition of guts and skills. Group 4 champion Andrew King, who returned with two third placed finishes and a sixth after missing the opening leg in Jamaica, ended on 16 points and fourth in the championship race to prove that despite his rivals superior machinery and hi-tech equipment, his daredevil skills made him extremely competitive against drivers with cars worth in excess of US$250,000.
Kevin Jeffrey, who also campaigns in the same category, secured a second and fourth placed finish along with Did Not Finish (DNF) in what could be described as a commendable performance, while Group 3 driver Gavin Gayadin, who ventured into the marquee division, netted a valuable two points after placing seventh in the second championship race of the day.
In the motor bikes category, local Stephen ‘Valentino Rossi’ Vieira lived up to the sobriquet with some remarkable riding to end with two firsts and a third, while Maurice Menezes, who suffered a terrible crash the day before during qualifying sessions showed enough bravery to return and compete after injuring his wrist and knees.
In the motor cars segment, King, Jeffrey and Gayadin had to do battle against teams that were far more sophisticated both in terms of machinery and equipment.
For instance, Barry and Roger Mayers drove a Suzuki SX4 and Ford Focus cars respectively with the latter a former rally car that was converted for track use said to worth over US$350,000, while the Mitsubishi Evolution VI of Barbadian Stuart Maloney and the Mitsubishi Evolution VIII of Jamaican David Summerbell are usually well prepared through heavy sponsorship dollars and worth close to that of the Mayers’ cars.
Then comes the hi-tech equipment that maintains those cars which are unmatched by any team locally.
These teams have vans loaded with tools and equipment that guarantees quick and efficient maintenance, all necessary components for success.
The glaring superiority of the opposition against the Guyanese could be seen in the straightaways’ where the locals are noticeably slower, but make amends in the corners through their skills.
Jamaica and Barbados have ‘big’ companies that are willing to invest heavily in sports, especially when they smell success which ultimately guarantees mileage.
With the November Meeting just over two months away, many of the local competitors will need such support to maintain their competitive edge and it would be heartening to see some of those ‘big’ companies come on board and offer assistance so that Guyana could dominate the final leg of the Series.
We possess the drivers and riders to match any in the Caribbean, but in a sport where the performance of the machines is critical, it is left up to the corporate community to do its part which will certainly make us even more competitive.
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