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Release from the ASPL (T&T) 14-Feb-05
History repeating itself….. or Not learning from our mistakes? We are seeing a trend here that's worth looking at.
In 1997 AutoSport, in conjunction with the TTRC staged the first Texaco/Tecmarine International Stages Rally. This also was part of the Caribbean Rally Championship series. Feedback from everyone involved, clearly indicated this Event was a tremendous success. In 1998, the Event was even bigger and better and again T&T was the final leg of the Caribbean Rally Championship Series. The major comment was the loose stages in T&T were the best in the Caribbean. And at that time, this event was as big as what Jamaica and Barbados were holding.
Come January 1999, and TTASA indicated that the Rally should be organized by the Rally Club, and if AutoSport wanted, they could “assist” the Rally Club with the Event. After all of the groundwork Autosport had done in sourcing sponsors, coordinating the major issues involved, we found this untenable and opted out, allowing the Rally Club a free hand to organize the Event. What has happened with High Speed Rallying in T&T from then to now is there for every one to see. And for those who know what the Barbados Rally Carnival is today, just remember in 1998 our Event was bigger than Barbados.
In 2000, Speed Promotions came on the scene and pushed for the B13 series and also wanted to barge in on Drag Racing. The goodly gentlemen in TTASA sent AutoSport a Calendar of events that gave Speed Promotions Circuit dates and Drag dates, and AutoSport was also “assigned” the sum total of 4 Drag Dates. We stood our ground, staged all of our eight carded Events and what Drag Events did the others stage?
In 2005, we now see that after Dates have been agreed upon amongst the major players, (as we have successfully done over the past few years), the ones who have a track record, the ones who reinvest in equipment and who obviously have a commitment to their various disciplines, History again is repeating itself with TTASA trying to barge in and turn everything upside down.
So should AutoSport Opt out and see Drag Racing go the way of High Speed Rallying, or stand our ground and fight for the survival of Motor Sport?
TTRC poised for real growth in '05
by Narend Sooknarine, Editor-in-Chief, Zorce Magazine 17-Feb-2005
TTRC has been quietly making rapid progress. Sponsors including NP, Josef's, RallyMac Motors, Intercontinental Shipping and many others have given the TTRC and the sport of Rallying their firm support. In recent years TTRC has staged many successful events, with the Speed Stages at Chaguaramas being the most popular. Our 'Rallyboyz' have participated in Rally Barbados 2002 & 2003. International drivers like Paul Bourne with his ex-WRC Banks Subaru Impreza have come to our shores with their cars to compete in the 2004 NP-Ultra Invitational Stages Rally.
However, for 2005 as a matter of not just encouragement but in fact prediction, we expect that rally (along with karting and solodex) is poised to make a serious impact. If not this year then in 2006, given the current rate of growth and interest, we can foresee events on the scale and quality of the massive events held in the late 90s. Hopefully then Trinidad & Tobago will compare to Barbados and Jamaica, or at least rejoin them as a part of a Caribbean Rally Championship.
Click here to see coverage of the last Rally Event! (30th Jan 2005)
Next Rally Event: 20th Feb 2005: Usine-BordeNarve