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TTASA appeals high court decision, outcome expected in December 2006.
6th July, 2006 • Press release from TTASA
Please be advised that the High Court Appeal for TTASA vs. Eteck has been scheduled for December 2006.
The Motor Sport fraternity will have use of the Wallerfield Facility until the outcome is established, subject to the same terms and conditions as requested by Eteck in the past.
TTASA is conducting meetings with Motor Sport organizers to reconfirm the 2006 Motor Sport Calendar and will release all dates subject to their requirements. The two organizers promoting Drag Racing are Autosport Promotions Ltd. and Trinidad and Tobago Drag Racing Association (TTDRA). The relocation of Drag Racing to the Southern Runway has resulted in the need for additional track preparation as the runway was not used for Drag Racing until the Northern Runway was no longer available. Both parties have attended meetings with TTASA in the hopes to work together in refurbishing the facility and implementing safety measures. The new location has greatly reduced the number of spectators that can be accommodated and therefore support of the sport. The effects of the uncertainty of securing a permanent home for the sport have been significant as organizers are left to continue investing in a facility on an event to event basis.
The Minister of Sport had directed TTASA to the Estate Management and Business Development Company Limited some six months ago. TTASA was requested to submit a new business plan outlining the Motor Sport facility requirements at a new location. Chairman and CEO Mr. Uthara Rao informed TTASA that the business plan is acceptable; however cabinet has yet to instruct the EMBD on how to distribute the Caroni lands available and earmarked for a new Motor Sport Facility. Mr. Rao indicated he hoped the transaction would be finalized by June or July 2006 and would submit TTASA’s business plan and requirements to Cabinet for approval at that time. Based on this a suitable location would selected. The Tarouba area was originally promised to TTASA but since that time no confirmation was given.
TTASA maintains that the Court matter now in the High Court of Appeal is very much a public matter and while they continue to seek the time originally promised to them by Eteck and representatives from the Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs for use of Wallerfield, priority must be given to identifying a new location and the government must act if they are to save a sport regarded as the largest and most spectator sport in the world from loosing the one facility citizens of Trinidad and Tobago can use to practice and enjoy Motor Sport. Should Wallerfield no longer be available the sport would have no alternative facility and would no longer be viable. It is noted that since the eviction notice from Eteck to present the instances of road racing has escalated and despite attempts to get racing off the roads and on the track, the issues with the facility make the situation very difficult.
NACAM, the largest zone of the FIA representing the Americas, and part founded by the Trinidad and Tobago Automobile Sports Association, has expressed great concern in the lack of support to Motor Racing in this country. NACAM acknowledges that Trinidad and Tobago is capable of hosting NACAM and FIA events for the region and would be a great asset to neighboring countries, as the English speaking Caribbean is very much in need of a facility to conduct Motor Racing and expand the sport to world standards and events. NACAM has pledged its support to TTASA and are willing to assist with the design and layout to meet all requirements for sanctioning the facility for international competition.
We ask all members of the public, media, corporate, and motor sport fraternity to please support our beloved sport and its competitors as we continue to seek a permanent home for Motor Racing that can encourage growth and prosperity to the sport.
Trinidad and Tobago Automobile Sports Association (TTASA).
