By Neto Baptiste
The drag racing fraternity and the governing body for motor sports in Antigua and Barbuda, the Antigua Pro Racing Ltd, are said to have reached a compromise over the future make-up of its board that will now include two members from the Antigua and Barbuda Drag Racing Association (ABDRA).
This was determined when both bodies met recently to determine the way forward for the sport following public squabbles about whose rules and regulations drag racing should operate.
Currently, no members from the drag racing association sit on the Antigua Pro Racing Ltd board.
It was also determined at the meeting that the drag racing association will continue to operate under the guidelines set out by the International Hot Rod Association (IHRA) as opposed to the FIA (Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile).
The IHRA has formally presented a Letter of Intent to the drag racing association to have the North Sound International Raceway officially sanction by their body while assisting with the implementation of safety precautions at the track.
The drag racing association must now indicate which two of its members will sit on the Antigua Pro Racing board.
In a recent interview, head of the Antigua Pro Racing Ltd, Carlo Falcone, denied the body had intentions of “taking over” the sport of drag racing, promising to ensure equity going forward.
He had however raised concerns over safety protocols at the track, adding that his body had to send off a report to the FIA following the death of Marcus Williams, a driver who crashed at the facility in March this year.
There was however no indication that breaches in security or safety protocols were responsible for Williams’ incident.