Only street-legal vehicles will be allowed to contest The Rematch of the Barbados Association of Dragsters Association (BADD) at Thicketts, St Philip, today starting at 2 p.m.
Word of this came from the coordinator of the event Michael “Chubb” Carter during a presentation ceremony at Courtesy Garage on Wednesday attended by company officials and the media.
The event is a Quarter Mile Acceleration Test and spectators will be anxious to see if the first ever under nine seconds time will be recorded by a saloon car, and also to see what the bikes will bring this time around after a truly impressive showing in 2013.
“It is a move by the sports controlling body, the Barbados Motoring Federation (BMF) aimed at raising strengthening safety methods in the sport,” Carter said.
But the new rule, according to officials, has affected the number of entries received by the close last Friday.
“I believe that the entry list of nearly 50 cars are a direct result of this new rule as many competitors have cars that were built only for racing and not legal cars and taken to the various event on trailers. The rule left them scrambling to the necessary paper work and insurance in place in time for the rematch,” Carter noted.
However, among the drivers are Roger “His Hotness” Mayers at the wheel of the Chefette/Digicel/Pennzoil/Illusion Graphics/Hankook WR Ford Focus WRC. Mayers seems set for a head-to-head battle with champion Sulieman “Sol” Esuf in a Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX, who posted a time of 10.189 seconds last year.
Another driver to watch will be Sammy Cumberbatch in a BMW M3, who is back after a two-year lay-off and rookie Kerwin “Pickers” Scantlebury in a specially prepared Honda Del Sol.
In addition, it is expected that Kelvin “Bird” Daniel, riding the Bajan Motors Kawasaki 1000 could find himself under severe pressure to hold on to his record 10.53 seconds with Learie Carasco, on a BMW S1000RR, Devon McCarthy on a Honda 1000RR, Terrence Ollivierre on a GSX R600, facing the starter.
Scrutineering will start from 12 noon today.
