BAICO III challenge for Mr Solo II

SEVEN-STRAIGHT Carib Great Race winner Mr Solo II will get a serious challenge in  this year’s Port-of-Spain to Crown Point, Tobago, event come July 30. This assurance was given by Trinidad and Tobago Power Boat Association president Garth Marshall at a launch of the fourth edition of the Carib Brewery-sponsored “Friday Lime” — Surf Meets Turf — yesterday. Marshall said the challenge will come from BAICO III an N-Class boat, formerly Gulf Warrior. He was speaking at the brewery’s hospitality suite and indicated that Mr Solo II will head a list of boats which will be on display at the Santa Rosa Park racetrack at the “Friday Lime.”

Marshall said to date, 25 powerboats have taken entry to the Carib Great Race which will pay $100,000 to the winner. He lamented the fact that there will be no all-women crew this time but was hopeful it will happen next year. But he pointed out that two women will be be among the crew of BAICO I along with two men.  The women are Kadra Branker who will be at the helm, with Gabrielle Patrick as navigator. Marshall said a new system will be in place this year, in an attempt to make the race more competitive with more boats finishing at the same time in sister isle Tobago. After the “Friday Lime,” boats will be on parade from Westmall through Port-of-Spain to Grand Bazaar for the annual show. Earlier, Arima Race Club president Gerard Ferreira expressed the hope that other sports will come on board and be partners with racing including boxing.