Rally TOBAGO - cuz that's how we roll --------

rcadiz

Well Well Well,

TTRC continues to push the envelope and boy have they delivered on this - the final event for 2009. About 10 weeks ago we started the discussions of a possible Rally in Tobago. Naturally there was some initial skepticism with the unknown and first time approach for an event of this type in our sister isle.

Over the last few weeks however, with the determination and help of both the THA and the TTRC exec, many fears were removed as things started to fall into place much like a the final twists when tightening a wheel nut. By the time the cars arrived at Scarborough port in Tobago, the word was definitely out there that something epic was about to take place.

Friday 1pm saw the first car drive off the port and much to the amazement of the curious onlookers. The Police were waiting for us - not to ask for license and registration but this time to give us a proud escort to through the town and onto our next destination - Lowlands Mall. It was an amazing site to see 20 cars all stickered up and revving anti-lag move through Milford Road and get preferred right of way no matter the colour of the traffic light.

The next few hours at Lowlands Mall proved to be a lesson in rally cars for most as everyone from school children to the local madman came to catch a glimpse for what was probably their first time up and close with the rally prepped machines. No longer was it on TV but right in front their faces. Without the security and ropes that may have been expected on the eve of competition many people got a chance to sit inside and ask questions to their hearts delight. Some made bets on who would win, some simply watched in amazement as each car started up and made it to the scrutineer's tent and back.

The opening kicked off on time with the National Anthem followed by a few short remarks from THA's Director of Sport. At this point everything was going according to plan - which was actually a bit worrying knowing that we always have some jumbie to bite us immediately before an event. And of course the jumbie arrived in the form of very wet conditions on the Friday morning causing half the stage to be cut out. This would prove to be a true blessing in disguise as no one could have predicted the good fortune of the new track design which was only finalized by the time the sun set on Friday evening.

So with most teams and pit crews doing last minute preps and trying to get a good night's sleep, the Trini crew's who came over to support embarked on their long night of celebration. The reason for this celebration is never questioned or understood - we can only assume it lasted long into the night, and was enjoyable judging by the upside down faces we saw on Saturday morning when the action started to get underway.

So Saturday morning arrived and what a way to start a day - brilliant sunshine in all directions. It was not only the first opportunity for teams to get to do their pacenotes on the new stage but a chance for us to see the pits. Now we usually never pay much attention to the pits – it’s a few tents usually with a stray dog or two running about. Not this time however. In true Tobago style and fashion – the pits were 10ft away from the pristine Turtle Beach which on Saturday morning showed off with perfect sand and the bluest of water. Many of the teams remarked that it would not have been too bad if the cars did not make the entire rally with Plan B involving cracking the cooler of Stag a little earlier than intended.

Time to start and immediately we notice that the crowds are beginning to pile in. One by one, car by car, 4x4 by 4x4 they came. From bikinis to their Sunday best all walks made it to the event. For those who knew what to expect and first timers alike, the next few stages turned out to be a really epic display of what the Club had to offer. In the Club’s history very few events feature all Cars driving home and although some had fewer gears, fewer windscreens, and mostly covered in dust, all starters were deemed finishers.

Lunch arrived and what was interpreted by some to be spectators leaving was soon realized to be actually people leaving to go to the beach to cool off, make a pass in the pits, and then return to the action after lunch. Imagine taking an hour in the Tobago sea water and then going back to watch rallying after lunch. Great!!

The afternoon stages went off without a hitch, bringing a very efficiently run competitive day to an end. Now time to give thanks to the spectators. Fun runs were the order of the day with all the cars lining up at the main field for a quick salute followed by some donut action to send the crowd mad. Mr. Lochan did his as is now customary flag lap, and then treated the THA Director of Sport to a quick lap at full race pace.

The prize giving was next, then a big party on the beach to officially close Rally Festival 2009. Maybe it was fitting that the man who went through the most stress on the Friday was the victor on Saturday. Sometimes things do happen in the right way, and now Tobago has something other than a big yellow catamaran to call hero. 'Lord One Foot' or ''Cyar namber too'' as he his now officially known is now the man to beat as the sun has set on another thumbs up event.

A major thanks to everyone’s involvement and all the sponsors. THA was an amazing host and 2010 already seems too long to wait. Great Race…watch out it seems there is another power sport on the horizon about to take its place in the conversations of all the Tobago Rum shops

Kamikaze · Posted: Tue Oct 27, 2009 2:59 pm Post subject:

WOY WOY BESS article as usuall robbie

Duane 3NE 2NR · Posted: Tue Oct 27, 2009 3:30 pm Post subject:

Greatest event for the year! very well done everyone!

tr1ad · Posted: Tue Oct 27, 2009 4:15 pm Post subject:

it was sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet

flat 100 · Street 2NR Joined: 29 Jun 2005 Tech posts: 91 My 2NRide:

Well done Mr.VP..

Article truly reflects the success of the event, and this was only so because of the full support from, the Exco/sub-committee, competitors, members, Marshalls, photographers, other club members (Cars), friends,supporters, people of Tobago and of course The Tobago House of Assembly..

Mini · Posted: Tue Oct 27, 2009 5:07 pm Post subject:

congrats on, from what i've read, and everybody that i've spoken to, what was a great event...

DEVI · not Admin Joined: 28 Jul 2005 Tech posts: 1441 My 2NRide:

my congrats added TTRC...truly a great event!!....saying it again " TWO LANES AND A TUNNEL ".....please??

MISHI · Posted: Tue Oct 27, 2009 10:14 pm Post subject:

It will be talk for all the car guys (and gals) here for some time... everybody's extremely impressed with the the precsion driving in event & especially the show put on by Barry and Ainsley...

next year sounds like it will be something else...

GT four · Posted: Wed Oct 28, 2009 8:06 am Post subject:

good reading robbie,I had a blast at this event and from the looks of it the spectators enjoyed the rally 10 times as much as us
(you driving car namber 2) lol

MadCrix · Posted: Wed Oct 28, 2009 9:32 am Post subject:

as usual very good article and even better event

best for the year and looking fwd to bago again next year eagerly

Mr. Ralliart · Posted: Wed Oct 28, 2009 11:24 pm Post subject:

i'm back... I heard d event was a huge success.

Scort · Street 2NR Joined: 11 Apr 2008 Tech posts: 50 My 2NRide:

Excellent article, first place this time(those on the exco alone know of what i speak,everyone else who knows is dead) great weekend, great spectacle! Kudos to all those involved. I even got comments from seasoned bench racers that they had more fun than in Barbados!

ping7464 · Street 2NR Joined: 25 Nov 2008 Tech posts: 38 My 2NRide:

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MadCrix · Posted: Thu Oct 29, 2009 11:07 pm Post subject:

same thing die hard rally fans were saying
the reasons i guess are
1: easy access to the stage with late arrivlas still getting in the action
2: lovely short course with multiple cars at the same time
3: the on time running of the event and cars starting one after the other in quick form
4: SHADE and more SHADE lol bago sun is a different kinda sun yes Laughing

MISHI · Posted: Thu Oct 29, 2009 11:14 pm Post subject:

^ coward...

sunscreen #9 Laughing

MadCrix · Posted: Thu Oct 29, 2009 11:40 pm Post subject:

i is a white man breds
i just tanned all the time Smile

tr1ad · Posted: Fri Oct 30, 2009 12:13 am Post subject:

Fack allyuh sunscreen #90 IDMC

MISHI · Posted: Fri Oct 30, 2009 9:38 am Post subject:

red bwoy · Posted: Sat Oct 31, 2009 6:01 am Post subject:

this was my first weekend in tobago and my first upclose look at rallying guys you all make drag racing look like real sheit i'm interested in getting involved but i heard some guys on the port in Tobago talking about a blue evolution with a radiator that increases horsepower somebody explain da one fuh mih nah Confused

AutoSport · Posted: Sat Oct 31, 2009 8:01 pm Post subject:

"i heard some guys on the port in Tobago talking about a blue evolution with a radiator that increases horsepower somebody explain da one fuh mih nah"

Blame that fella call Mishi for this!

AutoSport · Posted: Sat Oct 31, 2009 8:03 pm Post subject:

"i heard some guys on the port in Tobago talking about a blue evolution with a radiator that increases horsepower somebody explain da one fuh mih nah"

Blame that fella call Mishi for this!