Rally drivers revved for battle

Gravel action begins tomorrow, attacking the 8km infamous “Bronte Stage” from 9am. There will be 10 stages, five forward and five reverse.

Sunday, the action continues on the very fast and flowing “Snake Stage” — the morning’s stage in Preysal from 9am. The afternoon will see the teams move across the highway and enjoy the gravel at the “Jack and Jill Stage” in Milton Couva from noon. Here is a look at some of the drivers and navigators that will be in action this weekend.

Continuing with the various classes and group classifications for Rally Trinidad 2017, we take a look at the battle in 4WD, a field of nine cars, split into two classes, Group A and Group N. There are three teams competing in the latter.

A past and reigning champion are going head-to-head, with an old stalwart of the club snapping at their heels.

The Trinidad and Tobago Rally Club (TTRC) Overall 2016 Champion, Stuart “Sobbie” Johnson, co-driven with Wayne Persad, a former navigator in his own right, will be looking to not only take class honours but also seek overall victory in Rally Trinidad (RT17).

His best Rally trinidad finish was second to James Betts in 2015 and with just minor service done to his Subaru Impreza WRX STI in the offseason, Stuart no doubt has his eyes on the top step this time round.

Stuart and Wayne are seeded third and all the competitors received their numbers at the Event Launch on Wednesday. Describing Saturday’s Bronte Stage as his favourite, the aim is to be in the lead heading into Sunday, a testament of survival of the fittest.

Wayne Persad has been rallying since 1993 as navigator.

His last outing was in 2003 and this event would an awakening of how the sport of rallying has evolved over the years at competition level.

TTRC Overall 2014 Champion, Craig Sumair, co-driven by Lyndon Mohammed, will be looking to shake off the ill effects of the 2016 season, despite winning a rally, with a renewed outlook and drive.

The Mitsubishi Evolution 9 has had a full engine and driveline rebuild, as well a new suspension setup, a formula for which brings with it, hopefully, rally stage wins in 2017.

Rounding out the class is long time TTRC member, Kumar “Bobby” Ramdass, co-driven by Satchin Ramlagan. With a simple refresh of the car and a gearbox change, Ramdass is rallying for the fun of the sport, with the aim to finish and bring the car home in one piece. For young Satchin, it is his second (not consecutive) season in the co-driver’s seat and Bobby looks forward to the challenge of facing the stages with a “green” one.