By Neto Baptiste
The Antigua and Barbuda Drag Racing Association (ABDRA) is hoping that a recent return to the North Sound Raceway for its first event since March will eventually lead to a full scale return of the sport.
This is according to executive member, Renee Edwards-Ambrose, who said that last Sunday’s test and tune event, which was held without spectators, was a huge success.
“That’s dependent on the Ministry of Health who had three of their officers at the raceway [on Sunday] just to observe that the guidelines we had sent to them initially that they are being enforced and so far they are happy with it. I think that once we get the report within this week, then we can have a conversation as to whether or not we would be able to have 50 or 100 spectators in at the same time while testing and tuning, but until we get that report then we can’t really say when,” she said.
The association was granted permission by the sports ministry to host test and tune events only, but is barred from allowing spectators into the venue.
“Well, the executive has put things in place to have it twice per month so our next test and tune is slated for the 2nd of August. So between now and the end of this month, persons who are interested to bring their cars to the North Sound Raceway to test and tune, reach out to the association so that you could get your names on the list because, again, we are only going to be having 10 cars at the raceway per session, so you have to get your name in early,” the driver said.
As for Sunday’s event, Ambrose branded it a huge success, adding that a number of rivals were on show.
“Scrubbo came out for the first couple of passes. He did not have the launch down but after probably his third pass on the track, he was looking splendid. Motor Max as well looked really good as per usual because he has always stepped up his game every event, whether it is test and tuning. Big up to the biker guys who came out because Tian Winter was up there, Yellow, Greggers and all these guys brought their bikes up just to see who would have the fastest BMW bike, but Yellow’s bike knocked them out of the park,” Ambrose said.
Sunday’s event was the first at the track since the death of driver Marcus Williams in March. Reports are that Williams lost control of his car and crashed into the side of the hill.